News: India has joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) to provide integrated support services to manufacturing companies and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across BRICS countries.
About BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC)
- It was initiated in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
- Note: UNIDO is a specialized United Nations agency with a unique mandate to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
- It is a one-stop networking hub for manufacturing companies in BRICS Plus countries.
- Objective: It focuses on BRICS Plus countries to make transition into ‘Factories of the Future’, expand internationally, and adopt sustainable practices.
- Vision:
- To become the BRICS-driven technology marketplace for small and medium-sized enterprises,
- To promote market access and business internationalization
- To provide scalable solutions which can be adopted throughout BRICS and other partner countries.
- The centre focuses on developing Industry 4.0 competencies.
- Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia.
- Partners: Partners include smart manufacturing centres, digital excellence hubs, business support organizations, export agencies, chambers of commerce, universities, research institutions, business incubators and other specialized entities.
- Nodal Agency in India: The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies.
