BRICS+ Freight Exchange Platform Cross-border trade infrastructure for chambers and enterprise shippers
NEW SILK ROAD BRICS+
About us

Structure of BRICS

Intergovernmental Organisation

Structure of BRICS and BRICS+

BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation of the world's major emerging economies. The acronym was coined by Goldman Sachs analyst Jim O'Neill in 2001. The group was formally established as BRIC in 2009 and renamed BRICS after South Africa joined in 2011. Since 2024 the alliance expanded to 10 full members, while the BRICS+ format encompasses partner countries.

10
Full Members
12
Partner Countries
~40%
of World GDP (PPP)

BRICS Member States

Brazil
Brazil2009
11th economy by GDP, major agricultural exporter
Russia
Russia2009
4th by GDP(PPP), largest mineral reserves in the world
India
India2009
3rd by GDP(PPP), 1.4bn people, global IT leader
China
China2009
1st by GDP(PPP), world leading exporter
South Africa
South Africa2011
Diverse natural resources, gateway to Africa
Iran
Iran2024
Major oil and gas reserves, strategic location
Egypt
Egypt2024
Suez Canal, key hub connecting Europe, Asia, Africa
Ethiopia
Ethiopia2024
2nd most populous country in Africa
UAE
UAE2024
MENA financial centre, major logistics hub
Indonesia
Indonesia2025
16th economy by GDP, 7th by GDP(PPP)

BRICS+ Partner Countries (from 2025)

At the Kazan Summit (October 2024) a new partner country category was introduced. As of January 2025, 12 states have confirmed partner status:

Belarus
Belarus2025
Transit hub between EU and Eurasia, key link in logistics supply chains
Bolivia
Bolivia2025
World's largest lithium reserves — key to future energy supply chains
Vietnam
Vietnam2025
Fast-growing ASEAN manufacturing hub, major electronics exporter
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan2025
World's largest landlocked country, strategic transit corridor
Cuba
Cuba2025
Strategic position in the Caribbean, gateway to Latin America
Malaysia
Malaysia2025
ASEAN hub, leading exporter of semiconductors and palm oil
Nigeria
Nigeria2025
Africa's largest economy, major oil and gas producer
Thailand
Thailand2025
ASEAN logistics hub, leading auto and agricultural exporter
Turkey
Turkey2025
Bridge between Europe and Asia, major manufacturer and transit hub
Uganda
Uganda2025
Fast-growing East African economy, gateway to continental markets
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan2025
Central Asian hub of the New Silk Road, rich mineral resources
Algeria
Algeria2025
Africa's largest country, key gas supplier to Europe and Asia

Key Institutions

  • NDB — New Development Bank (Shanghai). Funds infrastructure projects in member states
  • CRA — Contingent Reserve Arrangement. Mutual financial support worth $100 bn
  • BRICS Summits — held annually in the rotating chair country

Expansion Timeline

  • 2006Founded as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China)
  • 2009First official summit in Yekaterinburg
  • 2011South Africa joins — renamed BRICS
  • 2017BRICS+ format launched (China chairmanship)
  • 2024+4 states: Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE
  • 2025+1: Indonesia. 12 partner states confirmed

BRICS Role in Global Trade

BRICS nations collectively cover ~30% of land area, 45% of global population and ~40% of world GDP at PPP. The bloc promotes settlements in national currencies, New Silk Road development and SWIFT alternatives. The New Silk Road BRICS+ platform digitalises trade and logistics infrastructure between member states.