SA upbeat about BRI C membership

South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana- Mashabane was upbeat about South Africa’s pending membership of the coalition of the four largest developing nations in the world – Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) following a recent state visit to China. South Africa is keen to become the fifth member of the BRIC economies, according to BuaNews. The country has held interactions with the respective heads of state – with positive feedback. “The BRIC nations work to boost trade among themselves, and South Africa is looking to expand trade with the world, which will help it meet development needs, especially by improving infrastructure and livelihoods,” the Minister said. President Jacob Zuma returned recently from China where he was joined by 13 cabinet ministers and a 370-strong business delegation.