In 2010 South Africa joined the association of emerging national economies, BRIC, to form BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India and China. The 2013 BRICS summit will be hosted for the first time at a South African venue. In 2009 the inaugural BRIC summit was held in Russia with a strong focus on how the participating countries and other developing nations can contribute more significantly to global affairs.
Shape Up and Ship Out
After all four of the original BRIC countries have hosted the annual summit, South Africa now welcomes BRICS ambassadors to its shores as the meeting takes place in Durban from Tuesday 26th to Wednesday 27th March. A major focal point of this year’s summit will no doubt be on increased investment in locally owned commercial shipping fleet in South Africa and its importance for effecting development in trade and collective co-operation.
Position of Power
South Africa has a great geographical advantage in terms of its trade routes and this creates major opportunities to expand in this area. Presently the absence of locally registered South African merchant ships is a significant inhibiting factor and results in the relinquishment of over 260-million tons of cargo to internationally owned vessels each year.
Somewhat Shocking Shipping Stats
It is the addressing of these types of challenges that forms part of the make up of the BRICS summit and the tackling of this trade challenge that is especially important when one considers the discrepancy between the newest member of BRICS and the rest of the group. This is highlighted by the other members’ numbers in the merchant vessels department;
Brazil: 172
Russia: 1,891
India: 534
China: 1,044
The heads of state/government of the member nations who will be attending the 2013 BRICS summit at the Durban Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) include:
South Africa: Jacob Zuma (President – Host)
Brazil: Dilma Rousseff (President)
Russia: Vladimir Putin (President)
India: Manmohan Singh (Prime Minister)
China: Xi Jinping (President)
As trying economic times tighten the strangle hold on many economies around the world, an opportunity presents itself for developing nations to gain leverage within various sectors. The BRICS summit comes at the perfect time to explore these possibilities and work towards making a significantly positive dent in global affairs.
