Analytical Review

The significance of the BRICS coalition in the global economy has increased notably in recent years. The expansion of its membership, the strengthening of economic ties among its participants, and the establishment of its own institutions are transforming the group from a discussion forum into a full-fledged association of countries with an independent financial framework. Against the backdrop of structural changes in the global economy, BRICS states are developing mechanisms that enable them to create autonomous channels of cooperation, support development infrastructure, and attract capital to strategic projects. One of such mechanisms is the BRICS International Investment Platform, which forms the foundation of a unified digital space for cross-border investment.

The BRICS International Investment Platform is a consortium of national investment platforms of the BRICS countries designed for investors and entrepreneurs, enabling both investment and capital raising based on partnership financing principles. The formation of the platform involves signing the agreements with existing investment platforms in BRICS member states or establishing corresponding investment platforms in those countries.

The development of the platform reflects objective global trends: the growing economies of the BRICS countries require instruments for launching large cross-border projects, yet existing international mechanisms do not always accommodate their needs. The emergence of a unified digital investment environment makes it possible to systematically address the task of structuring project cooperation and building infrastructure for both private and institutional investors. Possessing substantial resources and a vast internal market, BRICS aims to create conditions under which intra-regional investment flows serve not external centers of influence, but the strengthening of its own economies.

BRICS already accounts for around 40% of global GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP)[1]. With the expanded composition (BRICS+), this share has risen to approximately 44% of global GDP and about 56% of the world’s population[2]. The investment dynamics are also significant: the volume of mutual foreign direct investment (FDI) among BRICS countries increased from USD 27 billion in 2010 to USD 167 billion by 2020[3]. Against this backdrop, China attracted around USD 180 billion in direct investment, while India accounted for roughly USD 50 billion[4].

The emerging BRICS International Investment Platform is the result of coordinated efforts among the member countries. Several states are already developing national modules that will be integrated into a unified digital framework. The participants aim to create an environment in which national investment systems can interact without the need to harmonize domestic legislation. At the same time, the platform adopts a partnership-based financing model, focused on fair risk distribution, joint participation in project outcomes, and the rejection of interest-based logic typical of traditional lending.

An important element of the BRICS investment ecosystem is the New Development Bank – a financial institution established to support infrastructure and strategic projects in the member states. Its activities form the foundation for long-term financing. The BRICS International Investment Platform will complement this institution with a new functional layer.

For investors, the platform provides access to a diverse range of projects across large and rapidly growing markets. Infrastructure, energy, digitalization, raw-material processing, logistics, agriculture, and high-tech industries are areas where demand for investment has traditionally been high and where BRICS countries hold competitive advantages.

For the participating countries, the platform becomes an integral part of their development strategies. It enables the creation of structured project portfolios, improves planning, attracts international partners, and ensures sustainable financing. Through the platform, states can coordinate joint initiatives in energy, technology, transport, and industry, thereby creating the conditions for forming an integrated economic zone. The presence of a unified digital framework also stimulates the exchange of expertise and the expansion of technological cooperation, enhancing the qualitative growth dynamics of national economies.

The development of the platform also carries geopolitical significance. BRICS demonstrates its ability to create its own institutions. Strengthening economic autonomy allows the bloc’s countries to build a more resilient position within the international system, reducing dependence on external decision-making centers. In this context, the BRICS International Investment Platform becomes a tool of multipolarity, enabling Global South nations to participate in developing their own infrastructure and to attract capital on fair and equitable terms.

As the project develops, its significance will continue to grow. For the BRICS countries and their partner states, the platform may become an alternative channel for attracting capital and a means of strengthening economic autonomy. In the long term, the BRICS International Investment Platform has the potential to become the largest investment mechanism in the developing world.

[1] BRICS-BRAZIL: «BRICS GDP outperforms global average, accounts for 40 % of world economy», 2 May 2025, https://brics.br/en/news/brics-gdp-outperforms-global-average-accounts-for-40-of-world-economy

[2] Geopolitical Economy: « BRICS expands with new partner countries. Now it’s half of world population, 41% of global economy», 25 Dec 2024, https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2024/12/25/brics-expands-9-partner-countries-population-economy/

[3] UNCTAD: «BRICS Investment Report», 2 Jun 2023, https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/diae2023d1_en.pdf

[4] LSE: «Are the BRICS a Bloc? A Group? A Threat? It All Depends on Where You Sit», 1 Aug 2023, https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/internationaldevelopment/2023/08/01/are-the-brics-a-bloc-a-group-a-threat-it-all-depends-on-where-you-sit/