The BRICS bloc has advanced several initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), improving access to finance and technology, and building more resilient supply chains across member countries.
The developments formed part of the outcomes of India’s 2026 BRICS chairship, which placed emphasis on practical economic cooperation, innovation and stronger participation by smaller businesses. The bloc has advanced an MSME Cooperation Portal designed to link small businesses with knowledge, financial institutions, technology centres, training organisations and new markets.
Another key development is the workplan on the internationalisation of MSMEs. It includes measures aimed at improving access to finance and supporting small businesses seeking to participate more actively in international trade and global value chains.
BRICS countries have also endorsed principles for assessing the creditworthiness of export-oriented MSMEs, with the aim of improving access to formal financing for businesses that may otherwise face difficulties obtaining affordable credit. A proposal to study an invoice-discounting mechanism was also included among the initiatives designed to help businesses unlock working capital and facilitate trade.
On supply chains, the bloc has adopted a Logistics Supply-Chain Cooperation Framework intended to make transportation and supply networks more reliable, efficient and resilient.
The framework seeks to promote technical exchanges, knowledge sharing and stronger connectivity while supporting the development of local manufacturing and assembly ecosystems. It also places emphasis on capacity building and improving the participation of developing economies in global production networks.
BRICS has further adopted a 2026–2030 Global Value Chains Action Plan to encourage greater cooperation in trade, market access and economic diversification.
The initiatives are designed to help member countries strengthen their productive capacities and enable MSMEs to gain a larger foothold in higher-value segments of global manufacturing and trade.
Beyond MSMEs and supply chains, the bloc has also progressed cooperation on startups. The BRICS Incubator Network is expected to connect startups and incubators across member countries, while a proposed BRICS Startup Innovation Fund could provide additional support for innovative businesses at different stages of development.
The initiatives reflect the broader economic agenda of BRICS under India’s 2026 chairship, which has focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
With MSMEs playing an important role in employment creation, production and economic growth, the expanded cooperation is expected to provide opportunities for smaller businesses to access finance, technology, expertise and international markets.
The bloc has also stressed the importance of making global value chains more resilient, inclusive and transparent, particularly by improving connectivity, technology transfer, trade facilitation and productive capacity in developing countries.
