On 26 February 2020, Moscow hosted the first meeting of the BRICS Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues under the Russian BRICS Chairmanship in 2020. The meeting was chaired by Natalia Stapran, Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.
During the meetings to be held on 26-28 February, the following economic priorities of Russia’s BRICS Chairmanship will be presented: “trade and investment without barriers and sanctions,” “digital economy in the service of the individual,” and “sustainable growth and balanced development.” The participants will discuss the results of the five-year period of implementing the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2015-2020. The Russian side will also present an updated version of the document for the period to 2025, which will focus on the joint cooperation of the five countries in the context of digital transformation processes, as well as enhancing the role of the sustainable and inclusive development agenda.
In addition, during the meetings, representatives of Russian state, academic and business communities will present to partners a number of relevant initiatives for elaboration during Russia’s chairmanship.