BRICS seeks alternative to IMF amid Western financial influence – Business AM

Key takeaways

• Russia is urging its BRICS partners to develop an alternative to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• The expansion of BRICS reflects its growing global presence, with countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia joining.
• Top officials from the BRICS countries met yesterday in Moscow to discuss a new financial structure.

Russia, which currently leads the BRICS group, urged its partners to develop an alternative to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This call comes ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit later this month (October 22-24 in Kazan, Russia) as a way to counter Western influence within the global financial system.

The expansion of BRICS, which now includes countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in addition to its original members – Brazil, Russia, India and China – reflects its growing global presence.

Most important developments

Top finance and central banking officials from these countries met this week in Moscow led by Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. He claimed that the existing global financial system, dominated by Western countries, necessitates an alternative structure for BRICS, which together represent 37 percent of the global economy. Siluanov criticized the IMF and the World Bank for not serving the interests of BRICS countries and advocated new institutions within the BRICS framework, similar to the Bretton Woods institutions.

Russian motivations

This call for an alternative financial system stems from Russia’s own experience with Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These sanctions led to the freezing of Russia’s dollar and euro reserves, severely affecting Russia’s financial system and leaving the country was isolated from international capital markets. In addition, Russia has experienced delays in international transactions with trading partners, including fellow BRICS members, due to banks’ fears of Western regulatory repercussions.

Previous initiatives

Although progress has been slow, Elvira Nabiullina, governor of Russia’s central bank, has spoken before on the concept of a BRICS payment system (BRICS Bridge) to connect the financial systems of the member countries. Currently, the only financial institution established by BRICS is the New Development Bank, which was established in 2015 to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS countries and other emerging economies.

If you want access to all articles, temporarily enjoy our promo and subscribe here!

Key Takeaways from the BRICS Shift

• China, Brazil, India, and a few friends are looking for a new wallet!
• Russia’s trying to cash in on BRICS expansion—with pals like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, it’s a new global party!
• They’ve gathered in Moscow for a finance pow wow—who knew bankers could throw a wild meeting?

Ah, dear reader, let’s dive into the latest episode of “As the BRICS Turn!” It seems Russia, in a role reminiscent of your mate at the pub who shouts “let’s start our own band” — except this band is a financial system— is asking its BRICS buddies to create something snazzier than the IMF. Shocking, I know! After all, who wouldn’t want to ditch the global financial equivalent of your father’s old wallet stuffed with receipts and coins for a shiny new credit card?

With countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia hopping on the BRICS boat, this is beginning to feel less like a finance meeting and more like an exclusive club with bizarre initiation rituals. “No, you can’t come in unless you can balance a budget on your head while reciting economic theory!” But honestly, let’s face it: the world is changing, and so are the players. You know you’ve made it when you can invite members to the table like a festival lineup—talk about an expansion!

Business as Unusual

Now, top finance officials—the kind of folk who argue over decimal points at the back of a conference room—gathered in Moscow, led by Anton Siluanov, Russia’s finance chief. His mission: to convince his pals that they need a new way to deal with money, and fast! I mean, who needs the IMF when you have friendship bracelet economies? “We’re all friends here; let’s just ignore the West and create our own playground!”

At this point, Siluanov might as well grab a mic and headline a concert! He’s claiming the current global financial system—dominated by the West—just isn’t cutting it for our BRICS mates. It’s a classic tale of “my carry-on is bigger than your carry-on”—everyone wants to be in the front row, but only a few get to be the headliners!

Russia’s Financial Reality Check

And what’s igniting this financial revolution, you ask? A little thing called Western sanctions, which hit Russia like bad karaoke—unpleasant and rather damaging. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia found itself in a bit of a pickle when it came to accessing international capital markets. You can zip up your pockets, but it’s hard to pay your friends when you can’t access your cash. Those dollar and euro reserves? Frozen solid, kind of like a popsicle in a freezer!

It’s like trying to explain to your friends that you can’t do shots because your credit card was declined—very awkward. And now, with banks having cold feet about doing business with a country under sanctions, they’re looking for an escape route. Enter BRICS—capitalism’s next best thrill ride!

Past Attempts, Present Progress

Now let’s not forget that this isn’t the BRICS gang’s first rodeo. Elvira Nabiullina, the charismatic governor of Russia’s central bank—or rather, the member of the band most likely to start a solo career—has previously proposed a BRICS payment system (let’s call it BRICS Bridge for now) that would connect member nations’ financial systems. Right now, they’ve only got the New Development Bank, which was established back in 2015—think of it as the hipster coffee shop of finance, appealing to those who want something different from the mainstream.

So, as we gear up for the BRICS summit in Kazan later this month, let’s keep an eye on these developments. Will they succeed in creating their cozy alternative to the IMF? Will they sing “We Are the Champions” or “I Will Survive” as they head into battle against Western powers? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a wild ride!

If this tickled your fancy and you want more of this delightful commentary, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter! After all, who doesn’t enjoy a cheeky bit of financial fun?