Brics Representatives Urge to Expand Cooperation and Trade

Beijing – Government representatives who prepare the ninth Brics Summit (sherpas) , agreed that the five member countries of the bloc convened to expand cooperation in security, economy and trade between persons, indicates today a communique released by Chinese Foreign Ministry.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the agreement was achieved at the first meeting of Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Sherpas held on Thursday and Friday in Nanjing, capital of the Eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu.

The meeting is part of the preparation of the Brics Summit which will be held from September 3 to 5 in the seaside city of Xiamen, Fujian, under the slogan ‘Brics: a stronger association for a more brilliant future’.

Those attending the meeting agreed that Brics cooperation faces new challenges and opportunities after a decvade and before the defying and complex new international political-economic situation, according to the press reléase.

It adds that Brics countries have to thoroughly use the mechanisms like the meeting of foreign ministers to expand coordination in regional and international issues.

It also calls to implement even more the strategy of the Brics economic associates and deepen cooperation in trade, investment and finance.

The note asks of the group formed by the five most important emergent economies of the world to increase their cultural and personal exchanges through the holding of festivals, film contests, sports competitions and high-level meetings on traditional medicine in order to consolidate the foundations of public support.

Figures of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) register that the Brics countries and other developing nations were responsible for 80 percent of world growth in 2016.

The deputy minister of Foreign Relations of Russia, Serguei Ryabkov, advanced that ‘several important documents’ will be signed at thwe Xiamen Summit, including those on cultural and sports programs.

Brazilian sherpa Ary Norton of Muart Quintella described the preparatory meeting as fruitful and detailed that important topics sujch as the new Brics Development Bank, money launderuing, combat on terrorism and the way to achieve better understanding among the five member countries in economic policies.

Over 100 representatives participated in the meeting, including sherpas, diplomats and delegates of the new Brics Development Bank.

It is a practice that the presidency of that economic-commercial association organizes several ‘sherpa’ meetings before the Summit.

On January 1 this year, Beijing assumed the temporary presidency of the forum, whose members share common traits such big populations, vast natural resources and consistent growth of their gross domestic product, together with an active participation in world trade over the last years.