Dharamshala Business Conclave on the Cards
S Gopal Puri
Shimla: In a significant boost to Himachal Pradesh’s global investment ambitions, the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Commitment (MoC) with the Government of Himachal Pradesh during the HIM MSME Fest 2026 in Shimla.
The strategic collaboration marks BRICS CCI’s first formal partnership with a hill state and aims to position Himachal Pradesh as a preferred investment destination across BRICS CCI’s international platforms and programmes.
Under the MoC, BRICS CCI—a not-for-profit industry body—will work closely with the State Government to curate joint events, incoming and outgoing business delegations, sector-specific seminars, and high-impact business forums, with a strong focus on trade and investment facilitation.
As an early outcome of the partnership, a Russian investment exceeding ₹500 crore in the pharmaceuticals sector has already been facilitated through BRICS CCI, highlighting Himachal Pradesh’s growing appeal for value-added and innovation-led manufacturing.
With India set to assume the BRICS Presidency in 2026 under the theme “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability,” BRICS CCI, in collaboration with the Government of Himachal Pradesh, proposes to host a BRICS Business Conclave in Dharamshala in March 2026.
The conclave is expected to bring together industry leaders, investors, and trade bodies from BRICS member countries and partner economies to explore opportunities in co-investment, technology transfer, supply-chain partnerships, and export market access.
Key focus sectors for the proposed conclave include pharmaceuticals, food processing, green mobility, renewable energy, tourism and hospitality, textiles and handloom, IT and AI-enabled services, and agriculture value chains.
Chairman of BRICS CCI, Harvansh Chawla, said the partnership reflects a shared vision of sustainable and competitive growth. “It gives me immense pleasure to formalize BRICS CCI’s first partnership with a hill state. Himachal Pradesh combines competitiveness with sustainability—a rare mix that global investors are actively seeking.
Through this MoC, we will spotlight Himachal Pradesh across our international platforms, bring sector-focused delegations to the State, and co-create forums where business opportunities quickly translate into on-ground investments.
Our proposed Dharamshala business summit in March will be a catalytic milestone towards a resilient, innovation-driven partnership with Himachal Pradesh,” he said.
Welcoming the collaboration,
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, said the tie-up would open new global avenues for the State. “We are delighted to announce our partnership with BRICS CCI.
This collaboration opens new vistas to global capital, technology, and markets, creating a win-win for Himachal’s entrepreneurs and MSMEs as well as international business stakeholders seeking a stable, future-ready destination.
With India’s BRICS Presidency emphasizing resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, the Dharamshala event in March will showcase Himachal Pradesh’s sectoral strengths and accelerate high-quality, green, and inclusive growth,” he stated.
The MoC is being seen as a milestone step in integrating Himachal Pradesh more deeply into global value chains while reinforcing its image as a sustainable, investor-friendly hill economy.
