The first meeting of the national coordinators for the establishment of the BRICS International SEZ Association took place in 2025
National Coordinators of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of the BRICS countries met. The Association of Clusters, Technoparks and SEZs of Russia is the national coordinator on the issue of organizing an international BRICS SEZ Association.
Yevgeniya Drozhashchikh, Deputy Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, made a welcoming speech at the opening of the meeting:
“Last year, the BRICS countries worked out an extensive groundwork - trade ministers agreed on the framework of cooperation between SEZs, defined the areas of overlapping of our interests - whether it is the exchange of information on the standards of SEZ management or the search for promising investment niches. In October, the BRICS leaders welcomed these efforts and tasked the BRICS members to agree on the institutional framework for future cooperation. This task is our top priority.
The key topic of the meeting was the discussion of the text of the draft agreement on the establishment of the International Association of Special Economic Zones of the BRICS countries. The participants of the meeting reviewed the main provisions of the document aimed at deepening international cooperation, development of SEZ infrastructure and implementation of joint projects.
In addition, the agenda included discussion of the plan of joint activities for 2025, including initiatives to attract foreign investment, exchange experience and implement sustainable projects.
During the event, the BRICS countries reaffirmed their interest in strengthening partnerships and active participation in the development of initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of member economies.
“Today's work has shown significant progress in harmonizing the document. The main part of the work has been completed, and we are moving on to determining the venue for signing the agreement on the creation of an international SEZ Association of the BRICS countries,” commented Timofey Buneev, Head of International Cooperation and Sustainable Development at the Association of Clusters, Technoparks and SEZs of Russia.