Russia, BRICS, and ASEAN nations discuss the development of industrial cooperation between special economic zones

The development of production ties between residents of special economic zones (SEZs), the search for foreign partners, and the creation of joint industrial sites were the primary topics at the International Congress of Special Economic Zones, held on October 22 in Moscow as part of the 4th International SEZ Forum. Representatives from Russia, China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, and Madagascar explored ways to utilize various mechanisms—including those within the frameworks of BRICS, ASEAN, and the EAEU—to expand investment and industrial cooperation.

One of the key areas of discussion was the further development of the BRICS International SEZ Association, established at the initiative of the Association of Clusters, Technology Parks, and SEZs of Russia (AKIT) and the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, following the 14th meeting of the bloc’s economy and foreign trade ministers in July 2024.

The first practical tool developed by the Association is a digital map of BRICS SEZs, created by the Association of Clusters, Technology Parks, and SEZs of Russia (AKIT) in collaboration with the Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation, with support from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development. This resource consolidates information on investment sites and existing preferential regimes. Future development of the platform will focus on expanding capabilities for finding partners and facilitating interaction between investors and management companies.

"We view the attraction of additional foreign investment and the development of cross-border industrial cooperation for Russian businesses as key objectives within the framework of cooperation among BRICS special economic zones. To achieve this, we primarily need accessible and reliable information regarding the specialization of our sites, the conditions for establishing production, and potential partners. The digital map of BRICS SEZs serves as one such practical tool." "Further development of cooperation between these zones should help enterprises find suppliers of equipment and components, expand sales channels, and integrate into international production chains," noted Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.

Special attention was paid to cooperation with ASEAN countries. With the participation of Myanmar’s Deputy Minister of Commerce, U Win Myint Khaing, and Cambodia’s Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, Bun Chanthy, the discussion covered conditions for establishing production facilities, logistics capabilities, and the specifics of national preferential regimes. One of the initiatives discussed was the development of a "business navigator" for special economic zones (SEZs) in collaboration with ASEAN nations. This tool will enable Russian enterprises to compare operating conditions across various international sites.

Opportunities for industrial cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) were addressed by Umbriel Temiraliev, General Director of the Bishkek SEZ. The mechanisms under consideration included the organization of joint production ventures, the execution of business missions, and the exchange of information regarding the needs of resident enterprises.

"For any enterprise, international cooperation begins with practical questions: where to locate production, how to find suppliers and technology partners, and what terms a specific site can offer. The management companies of SEZs can guide businesses through this process, provided there is ongoing interaction between them. At this forum, we propose discussing how to structure such collaboration—ranging from sharing requests from resident companies to providing support for joint investment projects," said Mikhail Labudin, Director of the Association of Clusters, Technology Parks, and SEZs of Russia.

A concrete example of the development of Russian industrial infrastructure abroad is the Russian Industrial Zone project in Egypt. In September 2026, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the "Crystal of Growth" (Kristall Rosta) Foundation signed a cooperation agreement to further the project’s development. The initiative involves establishing Russian manufacturing facilities within the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Priority sectors include the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, metalworking, and the production of construction materials.

Alexander Shatunov, Managing Partner of the "Crystal of Growth" Foundation, took part in discussions regarding the current stage of the project and strategies for attracting new residents. Key topics included leveraging the expertise of Russian management companies, creating favorable conditions for investors, and organizing industrial cooperation.

Prospects for industrial collaboration with Africa were also explored, with the participation of Razafindrazaka Nainanirina, Director General for Industrialization at the Ministry of Industrialization and Private Sector Development of the Republic of Madagascar. The agenda covered the localization of processing industries, workforce training, and potential frameworks for engagement with Russian enterprises.

A dedicated session of the congress focused on the sustainable development of industrial parks. Sun Yuan, a representative of the Chinese "Green Partnership of Industrial Parks," presented best practices in resource conservation and the implementation of low-carbon solutions.