Remarks by President Jacob Zuma during the interaction with the BRICS Business Council Members on the occasion of the 7th BRICS Summit, Ufa, Russia
The Heads of State and Government, from the BRICS countries,
Ministers,
Chairmen of BRICS Business Council,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is indeed an honour to address this august occasion that further marks the imperatives of BRICS nations.
We are here joining a remarkably diverse group of important leaders in both government and business from leading emerging economies including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Bloc in a constructive dialogue on the vast array of opportunities aimed at leading the growth of the world economy.
The socio-economic challenges that confront developing countries are similar, including poverty alleviation, creation of sustainable development, reducing inequality in standards of living and economic growth.
These challenges are not new they have long been recognised, and measures have been put in place to deal with them. We must now address them within the current dynamics.
It is in this regard that we need to continue to vigorously partner each other to advance our shared vision.
Your Excellencies, this Summit takes place against the backdrop of an unfavourable global economic climate characterised by the sluggish economic recovery.
However, I am proud to say that despite this sluggish growth, the BRICS countries have been at the forefront of global recovery, recording favourable export growth with exports to the rest of the world increasing from 1.9 trillion US dollars in 2009 to 4.2 trillion US dollars in 2013.
South Africa recognises the fact that in order to strengthen the BRICS brand globally, it is imperative to invest all our efforts in making sure that the environment remains conducive for investment and potential investors.
In this regard, I commend the signing of the Declaration on Investment Principles amongst our BRICS Business Council Leaders which provides a framework for enhanced investment cooperation amongst our respective countries.
Further to this, I also welcome the newly established Working Groups on Deregulation and Agri-Business.
It is also important to recognize the following success stories achieved by the Business Council - The China South Rail and China North Rail venture with South Africa’s SOC Transnet
South Africa’s Bell equipment with Russian based Kamaz on a capital equipment prototype that can be viewed in UFA.
I am also proud to announce that in 2014 in an attempt to expedite the creation of business to business linkages, the South African department of Home Affairs announced a 10 year multiple entry visa regime for BRICS business travellers.
I hope this intervention will enable you the Captains of Industry to engage in a process of continuous and sustainable dialogue amongst yourselves and give credence to the true spirit of BRICS in the commercial sense.
Within this context I implore our fellow BRICS members to consider similar measures that will ensure an introduction of a harmonised visa regime amongst us as BRICS members.
Respective members of the BRICS Business Council the onus lies with you to make a concerted effort in emancipating our people from the clutches of underdevelopment and poverty.
I call upon you our friends to partner with us as we jointly tackle these challenges and identify synergies and complementary solutions which I believe to be within our reach.
Our collective capacity and co-operation in bargaining and voicing concerns that affect our economies in international forums has been highly effective, we must move together to develop our economies to higher levels and use our capacities for mutual growth and development.
As South Africa, we assure you of our commitment in creating a conducive environment that will yield the desired outcomes as they relate to identified priorities.
In conclusion I would like to wish this Council every success and reiterate my support on its initiatives which I believe will catapult our endeavours to greater heights reinforcing our rightful place in the global economy amongst developed nations.
I thank you.
