Russian President Vladimir Putin has projected the BRICS bloc as a central force in driving global economic growth in the years to come. Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum on Friday, ahead of the group’s summit in Kazan, Russia, Putin emphasised the growing economic influence of the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The group, which recently expanded to ten members, represents an increasingly significant portion of global GDP.
“The GDP of BRICS countries exceeded $60 trillion last year, accounting for about 37.4 percent of the global GDP,” Putin said, highlighting the group’s outpacing of the G7, whose share stood at 29.3 percent in 2022. He underscored that the BRICS agenda is not adversarial, but rather focused on “the sustainable development and flourishing of our countries and people.”
Strategic Importance Amid Global Tensions
The forum, held ahead of the BRICS summit scheduled for October 22-24 in Kazan, reflects the bloc’s growing importance in shaping the global economic and political landscape, especially amid shifting power dynamics. Moscow views the BRICS grouping as a potential counterweight to Western-dominated institutions in trade and geopolitics, especially as Russia faces Western sanctions and isolation due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Putin is hoping the alliance will offer Russia a lifeline in the face of increasing Western economic and political pressures. The BRICS platform allows Moscow to deepen relations with non-Western nations and presents an alternative vision for global trade, investment, and governance.
Opportunities for Africa and Egypt
The gathering also highlighted the economic opportunities BRICS presents to developing nations, particularly in Africa. Busi Mabuza, chairperson of South Africa’s BRICS Business Council, spoke about the immense potential the bloc offers, especially for African nations. “The opportunity for South Africa and for the African continent that is presented by BRICS is absolutely massive,” she said. Mabuza added that South Africa has already seen a boost in trade as a result of its BRICS membership, pointing to tangible benefits from closer economic ties with the other member states.
Egypt, a recent addition to the expanded BRICS grouping, also stands to benefit significantly. Alaa Ezz, secretary general of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, noted Egypt’s growing partnerships with BRICS countries in infrastructure projects across Africa. “Collaborative cooperation with BRICS member states to do projects in infrastructure with Egyptian companies is a benefit, win-win for both sides,” Ezz said. He also highlighted the critical role of BRICS nations in supplying Egypt with essential goods, noting that 50 percent of the country’s food imports come from the bloc.
BRICS as a Global Counterbalance
For Russia, the BRICS bloc serves as a crucial platform for strengthening ties with non-Western nations at a time when its global influence is being contested. As Putin courts deeper relationships within the group, BRICS is emerging as a powerful force in the shifting global order, particularly in the realms of trade, investment, and development.
The Kazan summit will further strengthen this vision as member states push for closer economic cooperation and leverage the bloc’s combined resources to boost development across their regions. For Putin, BRICS is not just an economic alliance but projects a vehicle for challenging the current geopolitical status quo.
