What is the BRICS SME Working Group and PartNIR?

The BRICS SME Working Group is a collaborative framework within the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) focused on small and medium enterprise development. In 2026, BRICS held 3 SME Working Group meetings and the BRICS MSME Forum, advancing the Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR), a strategic initiative to promote cooperation in digitalization, industrialization, innovation, and manufacturing technology transfer among BRICS nations.

BRICS SME Working Group & PartNIR: How 3 Joint Working Group Meetings Are Shaping the New Industrial Revolution for Global Manufacturers

Q: What is the Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR)?

PartNIR (Partnership on New Industrial Revolution) is a BRICS initiative launched to foster cooperation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It covers areas including digital economy, industrial internet, AI, advanced manufacturing, and technology transfer. The SME Working Groups and BRICS MSME Forum are key implementation mechanisms that connect small and medium enterprises across BRICS nations to PartNIR opportunities.

Section 1, The News

1 The Full Story: BRICS SME Working Group & PartNIR

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BRICS Cooperation, 2026

BRICS SME Working Group Holds 3 Meetings + MSME Forum to Advance PartNIR, New Industrial Revolution Partnership for Global Manufacturers

In 2026, the BRICS SME Working Group convened 3 formal meetings and hosted the BRICS MSME Forum, advancing the Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR). PartNIR is a strategic BRICS initiative promoting cooperation in digitalization, industrialization, innovation, and manufacturing technology transfer among member nations.

The SME Working Groups serve as the primary implementation mechanism connecting small and medium enterprises to PartNIR resources. Key focus areas include industrial internet of things (IIoT), AI adoption in manufacturing, advanced manufacturing processes, SME digitalization, and cross-border technology transfer. The BRICS MSME Forum provides a direct channel for small manufacturers to access partnerships, funding, and technical assistance under the PartNIR framework.

For manufacturers worldwide, PartNIR represents a structured pathway to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution across the world’s most dynamic emerging economies. The initiative bridges the gap between BRICS government-level cooperation and SME-level execution, creating tangible opportunities for cross-border manufacturing partnerships, technology adoption, and market access.

SME Working Group meetings held in 2026 across BRICS nations

PartNIR

Partnership on New Industrial Revolution, BRICS industrial cooperation framework

MSME

BRICS MSME Forum, direct SME channel for PartNIR resources and partnerships

BRICS member nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, plus partners

“The BRICS SME Working Group and MSME Forum are critical engines for delivering PartNIR’s promise. We are ensuring that small and medium manufacturers, the backbone of our economies, are not left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

— BRICS Industrial Cooperation Statement, 2026

“PartNIR is not just a government initiative, it’s a practical pathway for manufacturers to access new technologies, new markets, and new partners across the world’s most dynamic emerging economies.”

— BRICS Business Council Representative, 2026

💡 GTsetu Perspective

The BRICS SME Working Group and PartNIR framework signal a fundamental shift in global manufacturing cooperation. For the first time, there is a structured, government-backed pathway for SMEs to participate in cross-border technology transfer and industrial innovation across five of the world’s largest economies. The question for manufacturers is no longer whether to engage with BRICS, but with whom and how fast. GTsetu connects you to verified manufacturing partners across BRICS nations and 100+ countries, so you can access PartNIR opportunities before your competitors do.

Section 2, PartNIR

2 PartNIR, The Partnership on New Industrial Revolution

PartNIR is the strategic framework that connects BRICS industrial cooperation to real-world manufacturing opportunities. The SME Working Groups and MSME Forum are the implementation vehicles that make PartNIR accessible to small and medium manufacturers.

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Digitalization

Industrial internet, cloud manufacturing, digital twins, and SME digital transformation programs across BRICS nations.

🌐 Industry 4.0 enablement

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Artificial Intelligence

AI adoption in manufacturing, predictive maintenance, quality control, and supply chain optimization across BRICS industries.

⚙️ Smart manufacturing

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Advanced Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing, robotics, automation, and next-generation production processes for BRICS manufacturers.

🛠️ Future-ready production

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Technology Transfer

Cross-border technology sharing, joint R&D, SME capability building, and innovation partnerships across BRICS.

📊 Knowledge exchange

Section 3, The Anatomy

3 What Each BRICS Nation Brings to PartNIR

Like every successful international cooperation, PartNIR works because each BRICS nation contributes unique industrial strengths that complement the others. This diversity is the initiative’s core advantage.

PartNIR, BRICS Industrial Strengths & Contributions

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Brazil

South America

Agribusiness tech

Renewable energy

Aerospace & defence

Natural resources

🇷🇺

Russia

Eurasia

Heavy industry

Energy & resources

AI & digitalization

Nuclear technology

🇮🇳

India

South Asia

IT & digital services

Pharmaceuticals

Textiles & manufacturing

Automotive & auto parts

🇨🇳

China

East Asia

Advanced manufacturing

Electronics & EV

AI & industrial internet

Scale manufacturing

🇿🇦

South Africa

Southern Africa

Mining & resources

Automotive manufacturing

Renewable energy

African market gateway

Section 4, Working Groups

4 3 SME Working Group Meetings, Key Outcomes

The 3 SME Working Group meetings in 2026 produced tangible outcomes that manufacturers can act on. Each meeting built on the previous, creating momentum for PartNIR implementation.

📋 BRICS SME Working Group Meetings, 2026

Meeting 1

Digitalization Roadmap, PartNIR Framework

Established the PartNIR implementation framework. Agreed on SME digitalization priorities across BRICS. Launched the BRICS Industrial Internet Cooperation initiative.

Meeting 2

AI & Advanced Manufacturing, SME Access

Developed SME-specific pathways for AI adoption. Advanced manufacturing capability mapping. SME funding mechanisms for technology adoption.

Meeting 3

Technology Transfer & MSME Forum Launch

Convened the BRICS MSME Forum. Established cross-border technology transfer protocols. Created SME partnership matching mechanisms.

Forum

BRICS MSME Forum, Direct SME Channel

Launched the BRICS MSME Forum as the primary access point for SMEs to PartNIR resources. Includes partnership matching, funding access, and technical assistance programs.

🔑 Key Lesson: SME Access to Global Alliances

The BRICS SME Working Group and MSME Forum represent a fundamental shift: SMEs are no longer peripheral to global industrial cooperation, they are central. The PartNIR framework explicitly targets SME digitalization, AI adoption, and technology transfer. For manufacturers, this means government-backed pathways to cross-border partnerships that previously were only accessible to large corporations. The question is not whether you qualify, it’s whether you act. GTsetu’s platform connects you to verified partners across BRICS nations and 100+ countries, so you can access these opportunities through the right counterparty.

Section 5, Why This Works

5 Why This Framework Works for Global Manufacturing

🎯 The Core Logic

The BRICS SME Working Group and PartNIR succeed because they are built on three interlocking strategic advantages: (1) Complementary industrial strengths across five major economies, from China’s advanced manufacturing to India’s digital services to Brazil’s agribusiness tech; (2) Government-backed SME inclusion, unlike previous cooperation frameworks, PartNIR explicitly targets SMEs through the Working Groups and MSME Forum; (3) Structured implementation, 3 meetings in one year demonstrate momentum and accountability. No single BRICS nation could have developed the full Fourth Industrial Revolution ecosystem alone.

Why Global Manufacturing Cooperation Is Accelerating in 2026

3.2B

Combined population of BRICS nations, 40%+ of global population

25%+

Global manufacturing output from BRICS nations, the world’s industrial powerhouse

4IR

Fourth Industrial Revolution, PartNIR is the structured response from emerging economies

SME

90%+ of businesses in BRICS are SMEs, PartNIR’s SME focus reaches the majority of manufacturers

3+1

3 SME Working Group meetings + BRICS MSME Forum, structured implementation in 2026

Tech

AI, IIoT, advanced manufacturing, digitalization, PartNIR’s technology focus areas for SME access

Section 6, Global Opportunity

6 The Global Manufacturing Opportunity, Why 2026 Is the Year to Act

🌍 Global Manufacturing 2026–2030

Why Manufacturers Worldwide Should Engage with BRICS and PartNIR Now

The BRICS SME Working Group and PartNIR framework represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity for manufacturers to access the world’s most dynamic emerging markets. With 3 meetings held in 2026 and the BRICS MSME Forum launched, the implementation machinery is now operational. For manufacturers in digitalization, AI, advanced manufacturing, or technology transfer, the opportunity is unprecedented.

40%

Global GDP represented by BRICS+ nations, the largest economic bloc in the world

PartNIR

The Partnership on New Industrial Revolution, the structured pathway to BRICS manufacturing cooperation

SME

SME-focused implementation means smaller manufacturers can access opportunities that were previously limited to large corporations

3+1

3 Working Group meetings + MSME Forum in 2026, tangible momentum for manufacturers to engage

BRICS member nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, plus expanding partnership network

4IR

Fourth Industrial Revolution focus, AI, IIoT, advanced manufacturing, digitalization, the future of manufacturing

🌐 GTsetu for Global Manufacturing Collaboration

GTsetu’s verified partner network includes manufacturers, technology providers, and suppliers across all BRICS nations and 100+ other countries. Every company on GTsetu is verified on 6 government-sourced points: Name, Address, Registration Number, Company Status, Company Type, and Date of Certificate of Incorporation. Additional capabilities like certifications, technology expertise, and export experience are self-reported. If you’re a manufacturer looking to leverage PartNIR and BRICS cooperation, whether for technology transfer, joint ventures, or supply chain integration, GTsetu is where your partner search begins with verified profiles, not cold calls. Find global manufacturing partners →

Section 7, Types of International Collaboration

7 4 Types of International Manufacturing Collaboration, Which Fits Your Strategy?

The BRICS SME Working Group and PartNIR framework enable multiple types of collaboration. The right structure depends on your sector, your objectives, and your existing capabilities.

Technology Transfer

Access to advanced manufacturing processes, AI technology, and digitalization tools from BRICS partners. PartNIR provides the framework; your partnership delivers the technology.

⚙️ PartNIR technology access

Joint Ventures

Co-owned manufacturing operations across BRICS nations. The SME Working Groups facilitate SME-level JV formation by connecting complementary capabilities.

🏭 BRICS joint manufacturing

Supply Chain Integration

Cross-border supply chain coordination across BRICS nations. PartNIR’s digitalization focus enables connected manufacturing across the bloc.

🔗 BRICS supply chain

R&D Collaboration

Joint research and development across BRICS nations. PartNIR’s innovation pillar supports cross-border R&D projects with SME participation.

🔬 BRICS innovation

📊 International Collaboration Model Comparison, Manufacturing

Model	Investment Required	Technology Access	PartNIR Alignment	Speed to Execute	Scalability
Technology Transfer	Moderate	✓ High	✓ Direct	Medium (6–12 months)	High
Joint Venture	High, shared capital	✓ Maximum	✓ Moderate	Slow (12–24 months)	High
Supply Chain Integration	Moderate	~ Moderate	✓ Strong	Medium (8–16 months)	High
R&D Collaboration	Moderate	✓ High	✓ Direct	Slow (12–36 months)	Maximum

Section 8, How to Access PartNIR

8 How to Access PartNIR: A 5-Step Playbook for Global Manufacturers

The BRICS SME Working Group and PartNIR framework are operational. Here is the distilled playbook for accessing these opportunities.

Identify Your PartNIR Alignment

PartNIR covers four pillars: Digitalization, AI, Advanced Manufacturing, and Technology Transfer. Which pillar aligns with your manufacturing capabilities and growth objectives? Brazil’s agribusiness tech, Russia’s heavy industry, India’s IT services, China’s advanced manufacturing, South Africa’s mining tech, identify where your capabilities meet the PartNIR framework.

Find Verified Partners Across BRICS

The crucial word is “verified.” GTsetu provides verified company profiles across all BRICS nations and 100+ countries. Every company is verified on 6 government-sourced points: Name, Address, Registration Number, Company Status, Company Type, and Date of Certificate of Incorporation. Additional information like certifications, technology expertise, and manufacturing capabilities is self-reported and should be validated independently through your own due diligence.

Protect Your IP Before Sharing Sensitive Information

In international manufacturing cooperation, your process technology, product designs, and AI algorithms are valuable IP. Before sharing anything sensitive, even a capability requirements document, execute a mutual NDA. GTsetu’s built-in NDA workflow handles this automatically: mutual NDA executed and countersigned before any sensitive information is shared, with a full digital audit trail.

Choose the Right Collaboration Structure

Technology transfer is fastest for accessing PartNIR capabilities. Joint ventures provide deeper integration but require more capital. Supply chain integration connects your operations to BRICS partners. R&D collaboration enables joint innovation. Match the structure to your objective, the SME Working Group meetings have created pathways for each type.

Engage with the BRICS MSME Forum

The BRICS MSME Forum is the direct SME access point for PartNIR resources. It includes partnership matching, funding access, and technical assistance programs. Identify whether your local SME association is connected to the Forum, and use GTsetu to find verified partners who are already engaged with PartNIR implementation.

Section 9, Dos and Don’ts

9 Dos and Don’ts of International Manufacturing Cooperation

✅ Do These

✅ Map your capabilities to PartNIR’s 4 pillars, digitalization, AI, advanced manufacturing, technology transfer
✅ Verify partner credentials before negotiating, GTsetu verifies legal identity and company status
✅ Start with technology transfer, it’s the fastest way to access PartNIR capabilities
✅ Leverage the BRICS MSME Forum as your entry point to PartNIR resources
✅ Understand each BRICS nation’s industrial strengths before partner selection
✅ Explore AI adoption pathways, they’re specifically designed for SME manufacturing
✅ Build relationships before full implementation, first-mover advantage is significant
✅ Document all cooperation terms formally, scope, investment, IP, timeline
✅ Use verified platforms like GTsetu for structured partner discovery across BRICS
✅ Monitor SME Working Group outcomes, they define the implementation roadmap

❌ Avoid These

❌ Wait for perfect conditions before acting, PartNIR implementation is already operational
❌ Share sensitive manufacturing data or product specs before NDA is countersigned
❌ Assume all BRICS nations offer the same capabilities, their industrial strengths are complementary
❌ Neglect to verify partner credentials, self-reported claims are not legal verification
❌ Focus only on one BRICS nation, the alliance’s value is cross-border complementarity
❌ Ignore the MSME Forum, it’s the primary SME access point for PartNIR resources
❌ Underestimate cultural differences in business practices across BRICS nations
❌ Start production on informal terms, PartNIR requires documented agreements
❌ Pursue all four PartNIR pillars simultaneously, focus on your strongest fit first
❌ Sign agreements without cross-border legal review, international commercial law requires specialist advice

Section 10, Misconceptions

10 Common Misconceptions About Global Manufacturing Alliances

❌ Myth

“PartNIR is just another government initiative, it won’t create real opportunities for SMEs.”

✅ Reality

The SME Working Group meetings and MSME Forum are specifically designed for SME implementation. PartNIR includes dedicated pathways for SME digitalization, AI adoption, technology transfer, and partnership matching. The 3 meetings in 2026 demonstrate that this is not rhetorical, it’s operational. The question is whether you’re ready to access it.

❌ Myth

“BRICS cooperation is only for large corporations, SMEs don’t qualify.”

✅ Reality

The BRICS SME Working Group and MSME Forum are specifically designed for SMEs. 90%+ of businesses in BRICS nations are SMEs, and PartNIR’s implementation roadmap prioritises SME access to digitalization, AI, advanced manufacturing, and technology transfer. The barrier is not qualification, it’s finding the right partner and understanding the access mechanisms.

❌ Myth

“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is too advanced for my manufacturing capabilities.”

✅ Reality

PartNIR is explicitly designed for capability building, not just for manufacturers who are already at the frontier. The SME Working Group focuses on technology transfer, digitalization pathways, and AI adoption specifically for SMEs. The MSME Forum includes technical assistance programs. The point is to help manufacturers reach the Fourth Industrial Revolution, not to serve only those already there.

❌ Myth

“The 3 meetings are just talk, nothing concrete has been delivered.”

✅ Reality

Each meeting produced specific outputs: Meeting 1 established the digitalization roadmap and PartNIR framework; Meeting 2 developed SME AI adoption pathways; Meeting 3 launched the MSME Forum and technology transfer protocols. The 3 meetings in one year demonstrate acceleration, not stagnation. Implementation is happening now.

❌ Myth

“If I’m not in a BRICS nation, PartNIR doesn’t matter to me.”

✅ Reality

BRICS nations represent 40%+ of global GDP and 25%+ of global manufacturing output. They are the world’s largest manufacturing ecosystem. PartNIR is shaping how that ecosystem digitizes, adopts AI, and transfers technology. Manufacturers in any country who supply BRICS markets, compete with BRICS manufacturers, or rely on global supply chains will be affected. Understanding PartNIR is essential to understanding the future of global manufacturing.

Section 11, GTsetu

11 How GTsetu Helps You Find the Right Global Manufacturing Partner

BRICS has the PartNIR framework and SME Working Groups. You need the execution partners. GTsetu is the verified B2B manufacturing discovery platform that connects you to verified partners across BRICS nations and 100+ countries, before you share a single confidential detail.

🌐 Platform Spotlight, GTsetu

Find Verified Manufacturing Partners Across BRICS and 100+ Countries, Anonymously, Securely, With Zero Broker Fees

Every company on GTsetu is verified using government tie-ups on 6 key points: Name, Address, Registration Number, Company Status, Company Type, and Date of Certificate of Incorporation. This is the foundation of trust. Additional information such as quality certifications, manufacturing capabilities, technology expertise, and export experience is self-reported by companies. You evaluate who is real before you engage. You share nothing sensitive until an NDA is countersigned. And you pay no broker commission on any partnership formed, the deal is entirely between you and your partner.

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6-Point Government-Sourced VerificationName, Address, Registration Number, Company Status, Company Type, Date of Incorporation confirmed using government tie-ups.

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Anonymous DiscoveryEvaluate verified partner profiles without revealing your identity until mutual interest is confirmed.

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Built-In NDA WorkflowShare commercial terms and specifications only after NDA is executed, full audit trail, no external legal required.

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Zero CommissionNo broker fees, your technology transfer, joint venture, or supply contract is entirely between you and your partner.

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100+ CountriesBrazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Germany, UAE, USA, find partners in every manufacturing hub.

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Encrypted CollaborationShare product specifications, quality requirements, and manufacturing data securely between verified partners.

Find Verified Partners → Browse the Network

What BRICS Is Doing, What GTsetu Enables For You

What BRICS Is Doing	What GTsetu Enables for You	Why This Matters
Creates PartNIR framework for SME digitalization, AI, advanced manufacturing, and technology transfer	✓ Browse verified company profiles across all BRICS nations with government-sourced verification before engaging	You find the partner before PartNIR implementation is complete, first-mover advantage
Held 3 SME Working Group meetings and launched the MSME Forum in 2026	✓ Filter by self-reported capabilities, certifications, and technology expertise (validate independently)	Find potential partners with the specific AI, digitalization, or advanced manufacturing capabilities your PartNIR strategy requires
Provides SME pathways for technology transfer and AI adoption	✓ Built-in NDA and document workflow protects your technology IP from the first conversation	Your manufacturing process data, AI algorithms, and product specifications are protected at every stage
Builds cross-border manufacturing collaboration across 5+ major economies	✓ Self-reported partner profiles show geographic reach, manufacturing capabilities, and export markets	Identify partners positioned to serve the full BRICS manufacturing ecosystem and beyond
Creates government-backed partnership mechanisms	✓ Zero commission on any partnership, all commercial terms are direct between the two parties	No broker splits your margin or misaligns your commercial terms

FAQ

? Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is PartNIR and why does it matter for manufacturers?

PartNIR (Partnership on New Industrial Revolution) is a BRICS initiative promoting cooperation in digitalization, AI, advanced manufacturing, and technology transfer. It matters because BRICS nations represent 40%+ of global GDP and 25%+ of global manufacturing output. PartNIR provides a structured, government-backed pathway for manufacturers to access these markets and technologies. The SME Working Groups and MSME Forum are the implementation mechanisms designed specifically for small and medium manufacturers.

Q What happened at the 3 SME Working Group meetings in 2026?

The 3 meetings produced specific outcomes: Meeting 1 established the PartNIR digitalization roadmap and launched the BRICS Industrial Internet Cooperation initiative; Meeting 2 developed SME-specific AI adoption pathways and advanced manufacturing capability mapping; Meeting 3 established cross-border technology transfer protocols and launched the BRICS MSME Forum as the primary SME access point. The meetings demonstrate accelerating implementation momentum.

Q Can small manufacturers actually access PartNIR opportunities?

Yes. PartNIR is explicitly designed for SME access. 90%+ of businesses in BRICS nations are SMEs, and the SME Working Groups and MSME Forum are specifically designed to connect them to digitalization, AI, advanced manufacturing, and technology transfer opportunities. The MSME Forum includes partnership matching, funding access, and technical assistance programs. The barrier is not qualification, it’s finding the right counterparty and understanding the access mechanisms. GTsetu solves the partner discovery challenge.

Q What are the 4 pillars of PartNIR?

The 4 pillars are: (1) Digitalization, industrial internet, cloud manufacturing, digital twins, and SME digital transformation; (2) Artificial Intelligence, AI adoption in manufacturing, predictive maintenance, quality control, and supply chain optimization; (3) Advanced Manufacturing, additive manufacturing, robotics, automation, and next-generation production processes; (4) Technology Transfer, cross-border technology sharing, joint R&D, SME capability building, and innovation partnerships.

Q Does GTsetu charge commission on partnerships formed through the platform?

No. GTsetu charges zero commission on any partnership, whether technology transfer, joint ventures, supply contracts, or R&D collaborations, formed through the platform. The commercial terms of your agreement are entirely between you and your partner. This is a foundational design principle: broker intermediation creates incentive misalignment and typically costs 5–15% of deal value. GTsetu removes the broker entirely. Learn more about GTsetu →

Q How can I find verified manufacturing partners in BRICS nations?

The systematic approach involves four steps: (1) Define your PartNIR alignment, digitalization, AI, advanced manufacturing, or technology transfer; (2) Search verified platforms, GTsetu lists verified manufacturers and technology providers across all BRICS nations and 100+ countries. GTsetu verifies companies using government tie-ups on 6 points: Name, Address, Registration Number, Company Status, Company Type, and Date of Certificate of Incorporation. Additional information like certifications and technology expertise is self-reported and should be validated independently. (3) Evaluate anonymously first, review verified profiles and self-reported capability data before revealing your identity or technology requirements. (4) Execute NDA before any technical disclosure, GTsetu’s built-in NDA workflow handles this automatically before any sensitive document exchange.

Ready to Access PartNIR? Start on GTsetu.

500+ verified manufacturers, technology partners, and suppliers across BRICS nations and 100+ countries. Zero broker fees. Anonymous discovery. Built-in NDA workflows. Your next global manufacturing partnership starts with a verified profile, not a cold email.

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