Source: www. thenewage.co.za

by Yazeed Kamaldien

Residents of Mitchell's Plain welcomed the Brics Road Show to the Mother City to find out how the economic bloc would benefit South Africans.

Brics, the association of emerging global economies – which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – will be holding its 5th annual summit in Durban later this month.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation hosted the public meeting as part of a series of events before the gathering in Durban, which the department says will "seek common ground on areas of importance for these major economies".

"Talks represent spheres of political and entrepreneurial coordination, in which member countries have identified several business opportunities, economic complementaries and areas of cooperation," the department said.

"Brics' mechanism aims to achieve peace, security, development and cooperation. It also seeks to contribute significantly to the development of humanity and establish a more equitable and fair world."

International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Marius Fransman addressed the Cape Town leg of the Brics Road Show, which aims to inform South Africans about the importance and magnitude of its summit.

"Preparations for the summit are now at an advanced stage, with only a few weeks left before the start of this very important gathering," Fransman said.

He said the government was satisfied with the state of readiness and was confident that the summit would be a great success.

A similar road show was also held yesterday in the host city of Durban. Other events planned this month as part of the run-up to the summit include a business and academic forum, and a beach festival.

yazeedk@thenewage.co.za

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