1 South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 2 focus onitsdomesticandregionalpriorities. simultaneouslyBRICS, retainingthe while of align itsapproach with past chairships itsChairship, seekstostrategically of as part South Africa, Madiba’s birth. of centenary Mandela, asSouthAfricacelebrates the Nelson coincideswiththe YearChairship of astheBRICS This year isalsoimportant diplomatic level. BRICSsummitsat thehighest decade of asitconcludes thefirst historical trajectory 2018 holdsspecialsignificanceintheBRICS Chair until31December2018.The year 2018andwillbe on1January Chairship India, ChinaandSouthAfrica(BRICS) South AfricaassumedtheBrazil,Russia, “South Africa this year took over the Chair of the BRICS group of theBRICSgroupof “South Africathisyear tookover theChairof countries, and will give priority to the promotion of value-added countries, andwillgive prioritytothepromotion of trade andintra-BRICSinvestment intoproductive sectors.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, State of theNation Address, 2018 16February – PresidentCyrilRamaphosa,State of THE 10THBRICSSUMMIT • • • proposed by SouthAfrica,areasfollows: BRICScooperation as The newareasof developing countries in women,particularly of empowerment be derived fromthesocio-economic issues, given the economicbenefitto dedicated track for genderandwomen’s Women’s Forum –thisintendedasa establishing aBRICS[Gender]and innovation research anddevelopment andvaccine physical research centrefocused on – this is intended to be a partners vaccine innovation and development Centre for Collaboration withBRICS establishing aVaccine Research Peacekeeping establishing aWorking Group on 3
• leveraging the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership towards the Pursuit of Inclusive Growth and Advancing the BRICS Partnership on the Fourth Industrial Revolution – this is intended to foster discussions to address opportunities provided by the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a means of leapfrogging development stages and bridging the digital divide • establishing a BRICS Tourism Track of Cooperation.
South Africa’s approach to its Chairship is grounded in the intention to ensure programmatic continuity for BRICS, and is committed to executing approximately 100 sectoral meetings, reflective of the expanded BRICS architecture. It also intends to bring a specific focus to the challenges and opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The 10th BRICS Summit will be Chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Sandton International Convention Centre from 25 to 27 July. All BRICS Leaders have confirmed participation. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of
The theme for the 10th BRICS Summit is: “BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. The theme is reflective of the core priorities of each of the BRICS members, notably to strive towards the creation of an inclusive society and global partnerships that will bring prosperity to all humankind.
The proposed theme is also intended to align and ensure strategic continuity with the approved themes for South Africa’s Chairship of both the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 4 an outreach willagain beheldonthemargins that this regard, SouthAfricahas determined theirrespective summits. In the marginsof have alsohostedanoutreach dialogue on and AfricanLeaders, alltheBRICSmembers BRICS Outreach DialoguebetweenBRICS Subsequent toSouthAfricahaving hostedthis regional organisations”. countries, andrelevant and international emerginganddeveloping in particular cooperation withnon-BRICScountries, are opentoincreasingengagement and per theSanya Declaration that stated: “We fromtheGlobalSouth,as with partners activate theprovision for aBRICSDialogue In 2013,SouthAfricatooktheinitiative to BRICS OUTREACH • • agreed withtheAfricanUnion(AU) in2013: Africa Outreach Dialogue, aspertheformula thefollowing countriestotheBRICS- of South Africahaselectedtoinvite theLeaders development. African industrialisation andinfrastructure for in eThekwini in2013andBRICSsupport both continuity fromtheFifthBRICSSummit toensure thesummitwithAfricanLeaders of Government Implementation Committee State and (NEPAD) Headsof for Africa’s DevelopmentPartnership theNew Senegal: asChairof theAU asChairof Rwanda: 5
• Gabon: as Chair of the Economic and that of China’s in 2017, South Africa Community of Central African States has also elected to consider a BRICS Plus • Uganda: as Chair of the East African element. In this regard, South Africa has Community (EAC) elected to invite the Leaders of the following countries representing Regional Economic • Ethiopia: as Chair of the Communities (RECs) in the Global South and Intergovernmental Authority on the United Nations (UN): Development
• Togo: as Chair of the Economic • Argentina: as Chair of the G20 and Community of West Africa States influential Common Market of the South • Burundi: as incoming Chair of the member Common Market for Eastern and • Indonesia: as Co-Chair of the New Southern Africa (COMESA) Africa-Asia Strategic Partnership with • Namibia: as incoming Chair of SADC South Africa and influential Association • Angola: as Chair of the SADC Organ of Southeast Asian Nations member • Chair of the AU Commission, Mr Moussa • Egypt: as Chair of the Group of 77 Faki Mahamat. (G77) + China • Jamaica: as incoming Chair of the In 2017, China innovated on the traditional Caribbean Community outreach approach by introducing the • Turkey: as Chair of the Organisation of concept of BRICS Plus, which entailed Islamic Cooperation a dialogue with emerging markets and • UN Secretary-General, Mr António developing countries. Guterres.
The rationale behind the BRICS Plus concept The 10th BRICS Summit marks the second is to create a platform for greater interaction the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS Summit to be hosted by South Africa, and partnerships among countries of the the first having been the Fifth BRICS Summit, Global South to shape the agenda to effect hosted in eThekwini in March 2013. South changes in the global economy, notably for: Africa is seized with preparations for hosting the 10th BRICS Summit and is intent on • development and economic growth building on the legacy of 2013. through trade and investment integration
• cooperation in global governance Moreover, South Africa wishes to seize the financial, economic and political opportunity presented by its 2018 Chairship institutions. of BRICS to reiterate its commitment to further strengthening relations with and In the interest of ensuring maximum synergy among its BRICS partners, the African between South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS continent and the Global South. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 6 St Petersburg, Russia. 8orG8Outreach Summitin in theGroupof Japan, CanadaandFrance –toparticipate United Kingdom,Russia, Italy, Germany, America(USA), – theUnitedStates of eight mostpowerfulcountries in theworld the China wereinvited of by theleaders India, Braziland In 2006,thepresidentsof thefour countries. presidentsof a meetingof Assembly inNewYork. This wasfollowed by atforeign the annual UNGeneral ministers meetings from2006.Itbegan withthefour tohaveThe four countriesstarted regular global financialgiants. Russia, IndiaandChinaweretheemerging itbecameclear that2003 when Brazil, investment company, GoldmanSachs, in finance and the international O’Neill of “BRIC”wasintroducedbyThe Jim term Formalising BRIC WHAT ISBRICS? was firmly established ago, 57 was firmly years in April thetradition that BRICS isacontinuation of Sanya, China. Zuma, attended theThird BRICS Summitin SouthAfricanPresident,Jacob2011, former member inDecember2010and on14April South Africawasinvited tobecomea thecontinent. of bloc, SouthAfricaalsorepresentedthevoice inthe in 2011.Astheonly Africancountry thebloc South Africabecameamemberof BRIC becomesBRICS transformation. forceformal for globalpoliticalandeconomic With BRICbecamea thisformalisation, 16 June 2009. countries inYekaterinburg, Russia, on thefour State of Meeting withHeadsof Russia officialBRIC later hostedthefirst 7 1955, when countries of Asia and Africa South Africa’s membership of BRICS is met at the historic Bandung Conference premised on its domestic, regional and global to galvanise their collective muscle in role as well as its domestic achievements in the context of the Cold War and assert the “proudly South African manner”. themselves in the international system. South Africa’s BRICS membership objectives The Bandung Conference, which led to the derive from key domestic policy documents, formation of the Non-Aligned Movement, namely to: was a historic watershed in the international relations of developing countries. Amid • advance its national interests as outlined pressure from the growing Cold War in the President’s State of the Nation bipolarism, those countries were able to Address and the National Development concertedly affirm that they would choose Plan (NDP) – Vision 2030 neither the East nor the West, but pursue • promote its regional integration their own path and strategy under the programme and related continental guidance of the “Bandung Principles” of infrastructure programmes (such Afro-Asian solidarity. as SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan, the AU/ South Africa was at the Bandung Conference, NEPAD Programme for Infrastructure represented through the African National Development in Africa and the Congress by Moses Kotane and Indian Presidential Infrastructure Championing Congress leader Maulvi Cachalia. Initiative) • partner with key players of the South on Being part of the BRICS grouping is in line issues related to global governance and with South Africa’s foreign policy objective its reform. of strengthening South-South relations and solidarity. The present context of international relations and cooperation between Asian, South Africa’s membership of this body
African and Latin American countries – has expanded BRICS’ geographic and the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of collectively known as countries of the South intercontinental reach, including its global – remains critical and has become more representivity and inclusiveness. important than ever before. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 8 of agriculturalgoods. of the world’s industrialproductsandone half theG20.BRICSnations produceathirdof of also contributed totherobust performance 10%.The BRICScountrieshave growth of trade shareandintra-BRICSinvestmentworld world’s Gross Domestic Product, 17% in the resurgence, accounting for 22% of theglobaleconomic have of beenpart In thelastfour years, thesecountries the globalterritory. BRICS countries occupyservices. 26% of goodsand growing demandfor modern consumermarket withaconstantly enormous population. theentireworld This isan of makeemerging economieswhich up40% BRICS bringstogetherthefive major BRICS INNUMBERS 9
Total intra-BRICS trade
Imports Exports Total
2010 R 115,436,904,204.00 R 88,413,964,276.00 R 203,850,868,480.00
2011 R 145,698,170,264.00 R 123,333,077,352.00 R 269,031,247,616.00
2012 R 172,997,768,015.00 R 125,453,792,130.00 R 298,451,560,145.00
2013 R 225,532,940,952.00 R 155,644,590,904.00 R 381,177,531,856.00
2014 R 236,789,569,963.00 R 146,827,227,438.00 R 383,616,797,401.00
2015 R 277,071,451,244.00 R 146,720,066,049.00 R 423,791,517,293.00
2016 R 269,072,248,920.00 R 156,674,000,883.00 R 425,746,249,803.00
2017 R 281,134,729,340.00 R 181,221,650,146.00 R 462,356,379,486.00
Total intra-BRICS trade has increased from R203,850,868,480.00 in 2010 to R462,356,379,486.00 in 2017. South Africa’s largest export destination within BRICS remains China, followed by India, Brazil and Russia. The trend is the same with imports, with China as the largest source of imports.
The top exports for South Africa to China include iron ores, ferro-chromium ores and manganese, while imports are cellular imports manufactured or valued-added phones, portable computers, machines and products. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of footwear. The top exports to India include iron ores, manganese, waste and scrap The BRICS economies attracted 20,5% of steel and auto engines while imports include the world’s total Foreign Direct Investment mineral fuels, autos, medicaments and rice. (FDI), while in 2009, the number stood at The top exports to Brazil include autos only 16,9%. The share of BRICS countries (first significant export in 2014), chemicals, in capital investment on the global markets agricultural products and steel and imports has gone up significantly – from 9,7% to include base chemicals, chickens, sugar 14%. BRICS’ combined foreign reserves are and steel. To Russia, top exports were estimated at approximately US$3,7 trillion. oranges and pears, base metals, trucks, while imports included wheat, copper Some analysts predict that BRICS could and chemicals. South African exports to become as big as the Group of 7 (the USA, BRICS countries are largely raw materials Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Canada or intermediate products while South Africa and Italy) by 2027. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 10 • • • • • toprioritisefor jointaction: pillars power, have BRICSmembers chosen five With theircombined politicalandeconomic MEMBERSHIP OFBRICSAND innovation-sharing. progress through knowledge- and political andeconomicgovernance life and qualityof social justice, sustainable development peace andsecurity growth anddevelopment promoting cooperation for economic SOUTH AFRICAANDITS WHY ITMATTERS? of BRICS. of Africaontheagenda placing theinterests of building aninclusive society,of also while these challenges andaccomplish thegoal inordertoaddress theforum of membership and willcontinue toseek toleverage its society. Therefore, SouthAfricahas sought 2030 andbuilding aprosperousandequal inequalityby poverty andreductionof of development; notably theelimination of theNDPistoaddresschallenges of by theNDP.as setforth The mainobjective BRICS canonly bejudgedfromthemandate Africa hasderived of fromitsmembership any benefits that South The measurement of 11
Socio-economic Central to achieving the objectives of the NDP, is intra-BRICS cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, capacity-building, skills and technology transfers, and the enhancing of people-to-people cooperation. The adoption, and ongoing implementation, of the 2015 Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership is complementary and is geared towards strengthening existing bilateral and multilateral relations in the promotion of greater trade, investment and people-to- people cooperation. The strategy has been key to promoting South Africa’s economic and financial objectives with and access to BRICS countries, as illustrated below:
• FDI: BRICS countries as a destination of global FDI during the period January 2015 to February 2016 were as follows: India 38,9%; Russia 26,1%; Brazil 22,1%; China 12,1%; and South Africa 0,8%. In February 2016, total intra- BRICS FDI totalled R554 trillion. • Trade: South Africa’s total trade with BRICS countries in 2017 totalled
R461 billion, which was a slight increase the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of from total trade in 2016 of R425 billion. • Tourism: The total tourism arrivals to South Africa from BRICS countries in 2015 was 199 659.
Taking forward South Africa’s offer to lead in the manufacturing and minerals processing, and the science, technology and innovation sectors of the strategy, the 2018 BRICS Chairship will focus on inclusive growth and prosperity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
People-to-people In enhancing people-to-people relations, BRICS has promoted the following: South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 12 • • the: institutional developments of intheform cooperation has increased as evidenced by post-global economiccrisis, intra-BRICS Despite thechallenges emanating fromthe Institutional development • • • • operationalisation of theNew operationalisation of establishment in2014and subsequent at theeThekwini Summit Think Tank Councilestablished in2013 BRICS Business Council and the BRICS few. Cooperation, tonamea BRICS Sports on Understanding the Memorandumof Declaration the BRICSTrade Union Forum the Years 2017to2021 the BRICSFilmCollaboration Planfor Governments Cooperation Forum the BRICSFriendship CitiesandLocal sustainable totalling just infrastructure, projects, allbroadly inthearea of In 2016,theNDBapproved seven challenges related toinfrastructure. sector bankstoaddresstheaforementioned national development banksandprivate- multilateral development banks, regionaland agreementswithanumber of partnership and industrialisation. The NDB has signed developmentissues such asinfrastructure common challenges, notably inaddressing economies andstrategies toovercome therespective domestic development of as they illustrate asharedinterestinthe arecritical, These institution-building efforts Reserve Arrangement. respectively, andtheBRICSContingent in ShanghaiandJohannesburg Africa Regional Centre(ARC), based Development Bank(NDB)andthe 13 over US$1,5 billion, to all five members. This included a renewable energy project in South Africa, notably a “Loan of USD 180 million with sovereign guarantee from the Republic of South Africa to Eskom Holdings State-Owned-Company Limited for integrating renewable energy independent power producers (RE-IPP) projects and augmenting transmission capacity for further development of the Soweto Area”.
In 2017, the NDB proposed to approve 10 loans to the amount of US$2,6 billion, including loans of US$1,7 billion to Russia, India and China.
In 2018, the NDB expects to present 15 to 20 projects involving total lending of about US$4 billion to its board for consideration. The NDB’s target is to end 2018 with a total loan book of about US$8 billion for approximately 35 projects.
In 2018, the NDB also plans to initiate its private-sector operations and explore investments in public-private partnership projects. The NDB is working closely with the South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of authorities in South Africa to identify a strong pipeline of projects that can be supported.
The ARC is an integral demonstration of the commitment of BRICS to the African continent, as driven and championed by South Africa, specifically through its support for the continent’s industrial and infrastructure development agenda. The ARC is intended to play a catalytic role in providing financial and project preparation support for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in South Africa and Africa, with an initial phase focus on project preparation and project facilitation. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 14 would “seeanadditional increase inthe economists predictedBRICS-Africa trade enhanced thisshift.In2010,Standard Bank The recessionandrecovery periodhave global positioning. contemporary emergence andelevated thecontinent’s BRICS hasnourishedAfrica’s economic engagements betweenBRICSandAfrica. commercialandstrategic acceleration of The past decadehasseenaseismic new (nottotal)investors. Africaandthe largest of trading partners The BRICS countriesconstitutethelargest onthecontinent. efforts reconstruction involvement inpeace, securityand active Africa,aswellthecountry’s of shaping thesocio-economicregeneration contribution to recognises thecountry’s South Africa’s invitation tojoinBRICS BRICS ANDAFRICA efforts toaccelerate thediversification and efforts Africa’s cooperation forward tosupport totake their undertook The BRICSLeaders yet realisedtheirfulleconomicpotential. these countries have not Africa, as many of developmentthat andstabilityin supports attached toeconomicgrowth importance NEPAD. reiterated The the highest Leaders its industrialisation of within the framework developmentfor infrastructure inAfricaand have BRICS Leaders expressed support global recession. the factor toprotectthemfromtheshock of income countriesweredeemedasacritical trade andinvestment from BRICStolow- conducted astudy, indicated that which Fundalso Monetary The International commercial charge”. trade andinvestment spearheadingthe BRIC-Africaengagements, with velocity of 15
modernisation of its economies, through South Africa will again host such an outreach infrastructure development, knowledge with African Leaders during its 2018 exchange and support for increased access Chairship. to technology, enhanced capacity-building and investment in human capital, including The African Leaders presented a set within the framework of NEPAD. of priority infrastructure projects for consideration by BRICS Leaders and South Africa hosted the Fifth BRICS expressed the need to have engagements of Summit in March 2013 in eThekwini this nature more regularly. under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration BRICS has transformed the economic and Industrialisation”. The opportunity repositioning of Africa in the global economy. presented by the 2013 Summit was used to This has relevance for the continent’s future focus on Africa’s development by initiating modes and models of cooperation, including an outreach between African and BRICS that of partnership. Leaders, termed the BRICS-African Leaders Dialogue Forum Retreat, which was attended The partnerships operate through the AU by 12 African Leaders, representing the and NEPAD, the continent’s framework eight AU-recognised RECs of Africa. The for socio-economic development, whose retreat strengthened cooperation between main purpose is to serve as an integrated BRICS and African Leaders and this summit programme driver for the AU. completed the first cycle of BRICS summits. The establishment of the NDB and It was also historic as it was the first time especially its ARC is a new promising area that the summit was hosted on the African for future cooperation. The NDB will assist continent. This had special relevance given developing countries in the challenges they the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of that it coincided with the 50th anniversary face of infrastructure development due to celebrations of the Organisation of African insufficient long-term financing and FDI, Unity/AU. especially in capital stock. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 16 communication, academiaandothers. development, education, labour, relations, health, investment, infrastructure issues include politics, economics, trade and thedeveloping in general.These world the blocmany as a whole issues that affect BRICS is seized with finding solutions to Forum BRICS Financial Forum BRICS Economic BRICS DigitalPlatform BRICS Civil Forum Council (BBC) BRICS Business Forum BRICS Academic Council (BTTC) BRICS Think Tank BRICS NDB Interaction BRICS Government Forum POLITICAL ANDECONOMIC BRICS ASAFORCE FOR threats for BRICS countries. This and forum includes government, business andacademics anddealswithfinancialopportunities theBRICScountries. The forum of focuses ontheeconomicchallenges andopportunities anddatawithinthe BRICScountries. using Internet This platform sharesknowledge of interms development andculture. The civil-society platform aims to influence BRICS on issues such as health, education, conflicts, electricityandmanufacturing. sectorssuchThe astransport, BBCcomprisesentrepreneurs indifferent The BRICSplatform for political,economicandsocialissues. academicsengages onimportant The council also presentspolicyrecommendations and guidancetotheBRICSLeadersfor consideration. academia andthinktanks. Tank inthisplatform, which aimstofacilitatetheexchange ideasamongresearchers, of participates The think tank councils within the BRICS countries. The BTTC SouthAfrican BRICS Think is madeupof well astheir regions. citizensinthefivecountriesas of The bankwillprioritiseprojectswithinthebloc’s priorityareasandwhich impactpositively onthelives andinstitutions. Africaninvestors of The regionalofficeisinSouthAfrica,which isafinancialcentre forAfricaandfacilitates globalfinance established by theBRICSstates.The HeadOfficeisinShanghai,China. The NDB, formerly referred toastheBRICSDevelopmentBank,isamultilateraldevelopmentbank world. thefivecountriesandbroaderdeveloping which affect thefivecountries andtakesThis decisionsonissues forum stateandministersof isledby theheadsof Details CHANGE action. ithasidentified for respond tothepillars to BRICS has organised its structures BRICS institutionalbodies 17
BRICS: People-to-people exchanges various committees and signed off by the People-to-people relations give expression heads of state of the five countries. to the agreements and work done in the
Programme Description
Trade The BRICS Trade Fair, which convened for the first time in 2016, represents a platform for the five BRICS countries to exhibit state-of-the-art technologies and advances made in industrial development.
Arts The BRICS Film Festival serves as a platform for the film industries of member countries to explore areas of cooperation in the domain of cinema, culture and cuisine.
Tourism The BRICS Convention of Tourism includes the sharing of views and ideas on intra-regional tourism, travel, trade, culture, handicraft and cuisine.
Sports Football Played for the first time in 2016, the BRICS U-17 Soccer Tournament profiles the role of sport in Tournament bringing together people and forging cohesion.
Education The BRICS Young Diplomats’ Forum and other youth exchange programmes support academia, sports, science and technology as well as business development. Young diplomats are also trained to encourage better understanding of policies and cultural diversity among the five countries.
Science The BRICS Young Scientists’ Conclave serves as a network to harness knowledge for solving common social challenges through research and innovation. It aims to encourage research competencies of youth between the age group of 22 to 35 years from science, engineering and other allied disciplines.
The South African National Space Agency, the Brazilian Space Agency, the State Space Corporation “Roscosmos”, the Indian Space Research Organisation and the China National Space Administration have formally joined forces to create the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation – a first substantive project in the field of space cooperation. The intention of the virtual constellation is to establish the remote sensing data-sharing mechanism and avail to the partners space solutions that meet the challenges faced by humanity, such as global climate change, major natural and technological
disasters and environmental protection. the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of
Youth The BRICS Youth Summit focuses on youth-related issues and programmes within the BRICS countries. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 18 areas for cooperation: are the followingUfa. The priority main pillars in Strategy for BRICSEconomic Partnership adoptedthe maximised. The BRICSLeaders trade andinvestment, must befurther trade andinvestment, aswell asintra-African and itsneighbours. The potentialfor growing engagement hasdelivered tothecountry accelerator growthpotentialthat BRICS complemented by theexponential and the continent. This objective is strongly for its peopleaswelltheof at achieving inclusive economicgrowth South Africa’s national agenda is aimed CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS BRICS to vigorously pursue support for support BRICS to vigorously pursue of South Africa will utilise its membership • • • • • • • o o o connectivity: financial cooperation science, technology andinnovation agricultural cooperation energy manufacturing and minerals processing trade andinvestment people-to-people connectivity. physical connectivity institutional connectivity 19 these goals. South Africa’s membership of BRICS will:
• promote trade and investment • enhance industrialisation (notably beneficiation) • promote job creation.
South Africa has benefitted and will continue to benefit from being a member of the BRICS bloc. The South African Government has pledged its commitment to continuously engage and support business in South Africa and also work tirelessly in tandem with its BRICS counterparts to forge stronger partnerships to deliver prosperity and progress to the people of South Africa.
Regionally, South Africa provides direct access to the rest of the continent and is situated between the East, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. South Africa has many geostrategic and related structural advantages, making it an excellent investment destination and ideal “gateway” partner in the African growth story.
Complementary to this existing and strong the 10th BRICS Summit BRICS in 2018 and hosting of South Africa’s Chairship of consumer market, are the exciting regional integration initiatives taking place on the continent. For example, South Africa has acceded to the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement, which brings together SADC, COMESA and the EAC. The free trade area will combine the markets of 26 countries with a population of nearly 625 million. It will open market access opportunities for South African export products, contribute to job creation and the growth of South Africa’s industrial sector. Negotiations towards the Continental Free Trade Agreement are progressing at a brisk pace. This regional integration initiative will put us in the same market-size bracket as BRICS partners. South Africa’s Chairship of BRICS in 2018 and hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit 20 Chapter of theBBCandAfrican captains Chapter of the SouthAfrican of Chairperson the first meeting waschaired by MrPatrice Motsepe, Convention CentreinSouth Africa.The place on19August 2013at theSandton theFifthBRICSSummit,took occasion of theBBC, waslaunched onthe which of theeThekwini meeting Summit.The first of thesuccessfuloutcomes was alsooneof the BBC and the BTTC The establishment of challenges incommon. developmental advances and a rangeof emergingmarkets, have which this groupof cooperation among the second decade of Summit inJuly wouldsignifythebeginningof Resident Ramaphosa said that the BRICS a statement issuedby The Presidency, In commitment totheBRICSformation. thecountry’s Ramaphosa reaffirmed In March 2018,newly electedPresident structures. various projectswithintheexisting BRICS isawidescopefor cooperation in certainly inAfrica.There commercial opportunities withBRICScompaniestoexplore partnering this unique position, through advantage of continent, SouthAfricancompaniescantake investors amongdeveloping countriesonthe theleading As SouthAfricaisoneof the UFA Summit. at BRICS, was handedtotheLeaders which strategy for also formulated a long-term andthink tanks.researchers The BTTC has ideasamongacademics, exchange of The BTTC for asaplatform the serves Summit. meeting priortotheLeaders’ achievements duringa totheBRICSLeaders comprehensive reflectingits annual reports, Since itsestablishment, ithaspresented technology.development; andthetransfer of sustainable development; skills development;and macro-enterprise manufacturing development; small,medium healthcare and tourism); value-added communications technology, transportation, (including and financial, information agro-processing;services pharmaceuticals; mining andmineralbeneficiation; energy; groups inthefollowing areas:infrastructure; members. The BBC has established working facilitating traderelations betweenBRICS rolein The BBCplays animportant healthcare, agricultureandagro-processing. the areasof, amongothers, manufacturing, countries remainedcommittedtoAfricain made therecommendation that BRICS were also invited. The industry meeting of