Center-invest Bank reviews 15 years of experience working with BRICS countries. Over this period, the bank has evolved from co-organising the inaugural Russia — India — China business forum in Rostov-on-Don to participating in expert discussions on the ESG ranking of universities within the bloc at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
The inaugural Russia — India — China business forum was held in Rostov-on-Don in 2011, co-organised by Center-invest Bank and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (CCI RF). The initiative to hold the forum in the capital of Southern Russia, proposed by the bank’s Scientific Director, Professor Vasily Vysokov, Doctor of Economics, was backed by international partners, including the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
At the 2012 BRICS summit in New Delhi, the bank’s Scientific Director, Professor Vasily Vysokov, Doctor of Economics, presented the regional experience of sustainable banking for small business development, energy efficiency, and the agribusiness sector in a report titled "Sustainable Banking in a Post-Crisis Economy".
With the bank’s support, a book titled "Experience and Cooperation of the BRICS Countries and Their Regions", prepared by students of the Southern Federal University, was published in 2013. The book became the initial step towards organising a full-fledged international conference of young scientists from BRICS countries in Rostov-on-Don.
The inaugural international conference of young BRICS scientists in 2015 was also held with the bank’s financial support. The conference was attended by young scientists from Russia’s leading universities, members of the academic community from BRICS member states, and young entrepreneurs. This event cemented Center-invest’s role as a bridge between academia and the practical financing of sustainable development.
In 2025, the bank participated in the Russia — China Chamber’s conference, "Current Solutions for Trade with China and Other BRICS+ Countries", and held a working meeting with Anna Nesterova, Head of the Russian Working Group on Digital Economy of the BRICS Business Council and Chairperson of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, to share its experience in supporting women’s entrepreneurship and digitisation projects.
The bank maintains regular ties with universities and student communities across the BRICS countries. In 2026, the bank organised a tour of its head office for students from African countries to introduce them to the sustainable banking business model and youth entrepreneurship development, and also participated in the roundtable discussion titled "BRICS University Rankings: The Role of Universities in the Global Transition to Sustainable Development" at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. The bank shared its experience of successful collaboration with universities, training in-demand professionals, and effectively managing endowment funds. The bank ranks 10th in Russia in the National Endowment Association’s ranking by assets, with 490 million roubles under management.
For 15 years, Center-invest Bank has consistently built relationships with BRICS countries, uniting the real economy, academia, and sustainable financial instruments to maintain stability and create sovereign competitive advantages for the Russian economy.