Iran Calls for Regular BRICS Expo as It Pushes for Deeper Trade Ties

Iran has proposed holding a recurring BRICS Expo, potentially creating a new platform for companies, exporters and investors from BRICS countries to develop direct business ties and showcase trade and investment opportunities.
The proposal was reported by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) on August 7, 2026, as Iran continues to seek a more active role in economic cooperation within the expanded BRICS framework.
For international businesses following the Iranian market, the proposal is particularly relevant because a recurring BRICS trade exhibition could provide a practical, business-to-business dimension to cooperation that is often discussed at the governmental level.
What Has Iran Proposed?
According to a report published by ISNA, Iran has proposed the periodic organization of a BRICS Expo.
The central idea is significant from a trade perspective: rather than treating exhibitions connected with BRICS as isolated events, a recurring expo could potentially provide companies from member countries with a regular venue for presenting products, identifying suppliers, meeting buyers and exploring investment opportunities.
At the time of publication, MyIndustry has not independently confirmed an agreed international schedule or final implementation framework for the proposed expo. The initiative should therefore currently be understood as an Iranian proposal, rather than an already established recurring BRICS event.
Why a BRICS Expo Could Matter for International Trade
BRICS has expanded considerably beyond its original five members. The grouping now includes major emerging economies across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, including Iran.
While BRICS cooperation covers a wide range of political, financial and development issues, a recurring trade exhibition could give businesses a more direct mechanism for commercial engagement.
Such an event could be particularly relevant to:
- exporters seeking new markets within BRICS countries;
- international buyers looking for suppliers in Iran and other member states;
- manufacturers seeking distribution or joint-production partners;
- investors evaluating industrial and infrastructure opportunities;
- logistics, transport and financial-service companies supporting cross-border trade;
- small and medium-sized enterprises seeking direct B2B contacts.
Iran Seeks a Larger Role in BRICS Economic Cooperation
Iran’s interest in a recurring BRICS Expo fits into its broader strategy of increasing economic relations with emerging markets and regional economic groupings.
For Iranian companies, BRICS markets offer access to several of the world’s largest populations, manufacturing bases and commodity markets. For foreign companies, Iran itself represents a sizeable consumer and industrial market with important sectors including energy, petrochemicals, mining, agriculture, food production, construction materials, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
The commercial significance of the proposed expo would therefore depend less on the name “BRICS” itself and more on whether the initiative can produce regular business-to-business meetings, buyer delegations, investment discussions and practical trade agreements.
BRICS in 2026
India holds the BRICS chairship in 2026. According to the Government of India, its presidency is organized around the themes of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
BRICS currently brings together a group of major emerging economies that includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, among others depending on membership classifications and participation arrangements.
The expansion of BRICS has increased the economic diversity of the group, connecting large manufacturing economies, major energy exporters, important agricultural producers and fast-growing consumer markets.
What Could a BRICS Expo Mean for Foreign Companies?
For foreign companies interested in Iran, the most important aspect of the proposal is the possibility of creating another structured entry point into the Iranian market.
International companies often face difficulties in identifying reliable local partners, understanding sector-specific opportunities and establishing direct contact with Iranian manufacturers and exporters. Well-organized international exhibitions can reduce some of these information gaps by bringing suppliers, buyers, government organizations and business associations together in one place.
A recurring BRICS Expo could become especially useful if participating countries organize official buyer missions, sector-specific B2B meetings and investment delegations alongside the exhibition.
MyIndustry Analysis: The real commercial value of a BRICS Expo would not come simply from the number of participating countries or exhibition booths. Its success would depend on its ability to turn political and economic cooperation within BRICS into measurable business connections, contracts and investment projects.
Is the BRICS Expo Already Confirmed?
No final recurring calendar should be assumed at this stage. The latest Iranian report describes the initiative as a proposal by Iran.
Details regarding the format, participating institutions, future host countries and timetable will be important in determining whether the proposal develops into a formal BRICS-level trade event.
MyIndustry will follow further announcements from Iranian authorities and BRICS member countries as more information becomes available.
Why This Development Is Worth Watching
For exporters and international investors, the proposal is worth monitoring because it reflects a broader shift in Iran’s trade policy toward stronger commercial engagement with emerging economies and non-Western markets.
If the proposal gains support from other BRICS members, a recurring BRICS Expo could eventually provide a new platform for trade promotion, sourcing, investment networking and market entry across some of the world’s largest emerging economies.
Source: The initial proposal was reported by the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) on August 7, 2026.
Background sources: Information on the current BRICS framework and India’s 2026 chairship can also be found through the International Labour Organization and official publications of the Government of India.
MyIndustry provides English-language coverage and business analysis of developments in Iran for international companies, exporters, investors and market researchers.






