Hangzhou Emerges as a Central Hub in BRICS Economic Cooperation and Innovation

Hangzhou's Role in BRICS Economic Collaboration

In a pivotal event marking a significant step in BRICS cooperation, Hangzhou hosted the 2025 Dialogue on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) during the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo. This conference, held on September 25, brought together key representatives from BRICS nations, underlining the importance of SEZs as a catalyst for mutual growth and prosperity.

Chinese officials at national and provincial levels, alongside H.E. Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the Ambassador of the UAE to China, opened the dialogue, emphasizing SEZs' potential to drive regional economic integration. The dialogue culminated in notable agreements, including the signing of four major BRICS cooperation projects: the Malaysia Sarawak School Co-construction Project, the Qiantang BRICS Fund Project, the Framework Agreement on Financing for Alumina Production Line Construction in Indonesia, and a Memorandum of Understanding between Hangzhou and the Arab Digital Economy Alliance.

Additionally, two critical reports were released—the BRICS Electronic Bill of Lending Report and the BRICS SEZ Economic and Trade Cooperation Development Report for 2025. These documents are expected to serve as foundational elements in enhancing economic exchanges among member states.

The discussions also saw the launch of the Hangzhou Initiative on AI Industry Cooperation and Development, paired with the Initiative on International AI Cooperation and Service Alliance. Both initiatives aim to foster regional technological advancements, positioning BRICS as a leader in the digital economy.

Subsequently, the roundtable dialogue under the “Greater BRICS” framework provided a platform for further collaboration, gathering government officials from Egypt and Brazil along with industry leaders from Alibaba Cloud and the Export-Import Bank of China. This allowed stakeholders to explore opportunities surrounding AI innovation and SEZ collaborations.

The second day of the event offered international delegates an in-depth look at Hangzhou’s industrial capabilities, highlighted by visits to prominent local companies like Sanhua (Hangzhou) Industrial Park and Hangzhou High Store Technology Co., LTD. These site visits showcased the city’s advancements in manufacturing and smart logistics.

Following this, a dynamic matchmaking session featured SEZ authorities from Malaysia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia presenting unique investment opportunities. Over 40 Chinese enterprises, including well-known brands like Alibaba.com and DingTalk, engaged in direct discussions with international representatives, resulting in the scheduling of follow-up meetings targeting sectors from pharmaceuticals to digital infrastructure and smart logistics.

This transition from macro-level discourse to fostering micro-level partnerships illustrates a strategic emphasis on connecting BRICS SEZs with Chinese enterprises effectively. This initiative aims to solidify Hangzhou’s position as a pivotal international cooperation hub, driving forward the “Greater BRICS” agenda with a focus on sustainable and inclusive economic collaboration. As the framework progresses, it is expected to yield tangible benefits and opportunities for all member countries, further enhancing their interconnectedness in the global economy.

In conclusion, the Hangzhou Dialogue serves as a milestone event in reinforcing BRICS's collaborative spirit and pivoting to a future centered around innovation, shared growth, and integration in economic practices.

This gathering has not only displayed the potential of SEZs as growth engines but also highlighted the commitment of BRICS nations to collaborative economic strategies that can lead to resilient and prosperous futures for all member states.