Brics brothers commit to removing trade barriers

Business executives from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) have called on their respective governments to remove barriers that impede trade and investment. Following the first meeting of the Brics Business Council held in Sandton last week, delegates not only undertook to improve multilateral partnerships among themselves, but said it was imperative that trade barriers and other limiting practices be removed if the grouping of countries wanted to truly bring about change and increase trade. The Brics business council called on governments to expedite multiple-entry business visas for longer periods as well as considering a proposal to create a Brics business travel card. At the same time the council called for enhanced connectivity and the creation of an information exchange platform (a Brics business portal), which would be facilitated by the Brics Business Council Secretariat. Another important issue raised was increased co-operation on harmonisation of technical standards. The council undertook to increase co-operation in the areas of infrastructure, mining and mineral beneficiation, energy, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, services (including financial, ICT, transportation, healthcare and tourism), value-added manufacturing development, small, medium and macroenterprise development, sustainable development, skills development and the transfer of technology. In a statement, it said it would also promote publicprivate partnerships among Brics business and governments and would work towards winwin partnerships between Brics and Africa. According to South African Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, there is no denying that the voice and opinions of the BRICS Business Council can influence the evolving agenda in respect of intra-Brics co-operation.