BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies Launches to Drive Manufacturing Collaboration

The BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) has been launched at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) headquarters in Vienna. The signing ceremony brought together UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller, senior BRICS Plus representatives, and global stakeholders, marking a decisive step in advancing manufacturing collaboration.

Why the BCIC Matters

BRICS Plus countries represent more than 40% of the world’s population and over 35% of global GDP. The BCIC aims to leverage this scale to build stronger, more sustainable industrial networks. Instead of a symbolic partnership, the Centre responds directly to challenges shaping manufacturing today:

• Rapid technological change.

• Sustainability demands.

• Intensifying competition.

Müller described the BCIC as a “new platform to unite national efforts into a multilateral network,” designed to prepare industries for Industry 4.0 and strengthen their global competitiveness.

A Platform for Industry 4.0

The BCIC will act as a networking hub for knowledge sharing and technology integration. Its mandate includes:

• Promoting robotics, automation, AI, and smart logistics.

• Supporting sustainable and resource-efficient production.

• Helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access global markets.

SMEs, which make up over 90% of businesses and provide most employment in BRICS economies, are a key focus. The Centre’s programs are designed to help them grow into “Factories of the Future.”

Strategic Commitments from BRICS Nations

The launch reflects coordinated commitments from across BRICS Plus:

• Russia: Deputy Minister Alexey Gruzdev pledged expertise in digitalisation, unmanned transport, and human capital development.

• China: Xiadiya of the Mission to UNIDO tied the initiative to the BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR).

• Brazil: Deputy Representative César Augusto Vermiglio Bonamigo highlighted cooperation potential in AI, bio-industry, and digital transformation.

These commitments showcase the diverse industrial strengths that the BCIC will consolidate into a single collaborative platform.

Why UNIDO Hosting Matters

Integrating the BCIC into UNIDO gives the Centre both international legitimacy and access to established industrial development networks. Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General of UNIDO, called the BCIC “a significant step forward” in building inclusive and sustainable development.

The UNIDO-hosted model also opens doors for global collaboration beyond BRICS. Other emerging and developed economies could join, making the Centre a catalyst for cross-regional technology transfer.

Looking Ahead

The BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies positions BRICS Plus nations as leaders in shaping the future of manufacturing. By aligning digitalisation, sustainability, and SME growth with a multilateral framework, the BCIC could become a cornerstone of global industrial transformation.

{Source: IOL}

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