Overview of major scientific and infrastructure projects launched in BRICS+ countries, as well as excerpts from the most interesting studies of the association member states’ development prospects.
A Deposit Changing the Global Iron Ore Market
At the end of 2025, Guinea began exporting ore from the Simandou deposit, one of the world’s largest and best quality. The iron content there reaches 65%, giving the project strategic importance for global metallurgy and, above all, for China, as it seeks to reduce its dependence on Australian supplies.
The project, costing tens of billions of dollars, includes not only mining but also new infrastructure: a 600‑kilometre railway across the country and the deep‑water Morébah port. Once it reaches full capacity, Simandou will be able to export up to 120 million tonnes of ore a year. For West Africa, this is not just a raw materials project but an endeavour to create a new economic development model built around infrastructure, logistics, and industrial processing.
The Transport System of the Future
Dubai is continuing one of the most major urban transport transformations in the world. The emirate’s authorities are simultaneously developing new metro lines, road interchanges, and smart traffic management systems, preparing the city for a sharp increase in population and tourist flows.
One key project is the Dubai Metro Blue Line, which will connect nine city districts and be integrated into the existing metro network and airports. At the same time, major highways and logistics hubs are being modernized. The authorities expect that, by 2040, more than half of all journeys taken in the city will be by public transport.
For BRICS+ countries, Dubai is interesting example of transport being used to compete for capital, tourists, and highly qualified specialists.
Over the last two decades, China has created one of the most extensive industrial subsidy systems in modern history. Research by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) shows that, since the early 2000s, state support for Chinese companies has grown several times over.
This includes not only direct subsidies but also preferential loans from state banks, tax breaks, cheap land, reduced electricity tariffs and export support. The state has been particularly active in encouraging capital‑intensive industries: metallurgy, mechanical engineering, the chemical industry, electronics manufacturing, and renewable energy equipment.
Following the 2008 crisis, the Chinese authorities chose to focus on accelerated industrial modernization and development of national technological champions. Chinese companies have consequently been able to ramp up production faster than their competitors, capture export markets, and invest in new technologies.
