Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, led a delegation of the South African Government to the First Annual Meetings of the New Development Bank (NDB), in Shanghai, China on 20 to 21 July 2016. The BRICS1-led institution utilised this event to take stock of its first year of operations; celebrating its achievements, whilst charting a course for the future.
The NDB was established in 2014, and became operational in July last year. Its creation was first mooted at the Fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi; with the subsequent Ethekwini Summit, in 2013, marking the start of official negotiations.
The NDB has moved at an unprecedented rate in pursuit of its mandate to “mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.”
In its first year the Bank has:
i) apppointed an executive management team led by, internationally renowned banker, K.V. Kamath;
ii) finalised its core operational policies;
iii) processed its first set of loans – including a US$180 million facility for Eskom; and
iv) issued a renmimbi denominated green bond (mobilising approximately US$448 million in the process).
The South African delegation was party to discussions on the Bank’s Five Year Strategy, the role and scope of the Africa Regional Centre, as well as preliminary discussions on the expansion of the NDB’s membership.
Additionally, the Bank’s Board of Governors2 (where South Africa is represented by the Minister of Finance) considered member countries’ – development – aspirations, against the backdrop of an increasingly challenging global economic context.
The NDB aims to challenge existing Multilateral Development Bank convention in support of policies. Accordingly, the NDB wishes to distinguish itself – as a bank for and by developing countries – through the:
i) swift approval of loans;
ii) effectiveness of country systems in the implementation of projects; and
iii) the provision of development support in domestic currency.
iv) local currency bonds as much as possible, obtaining a credit rating to reduce cost
of borrowing, sharing of knowledge and expertise
v) aimed at reducing the bureaucratic hurdles to financing
In the year to come, the Bank will continue on its ambitious path, including the: recruitment of staff, launch of the ARC, mobilisation of additional resources in the capital markets, and expansion of its investment programme.
Minister Gordhan, and delegation, will remain in China to attend the G20 Meetings in Chengdu.
Enquiries:
Communications Unit
Email: media@treasury.gov.za
Tel: 012 315 5944
