Information Bulletin of the BRICS Trade Union Forum
Issue 16.2018
2018.04.16— 2018.04.22
International relations
Foreign policy in the context of BRICS
Angola's Inclusion On List of BRICS Observers Defended (Включение Анголы в список наблюдателей БРИКС было поддержано) / Angola, April, 2018
Keywords: global_governance
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
Angola
Source: allafrica.com
Luanda — Angola's inclusion on the list of Observer Countries of BRICS, a group of emerging economies, was defended Thursday in Luanda by Vladimir Tararov, the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Russian Federation to Angola.
Speaking to the press at the end of a talk on "the current situation in the Russian Federation", Vladimir Tararov made it known that the need to integrate Angola in the Brics is due to its preponderant contribution in the resolution of conflicts, with emphasis in the southern region of the African Continent.
According to the diplomat, Angola has great prestige in Africa, due to its active participation in the peaceful settlement of major conflicts in several African countries.
The diplomat believes that if Angola is accepted as an observer member, the Brics group will more easily absorb its ability to analyze and resolve conflicts.
The lecture, promoted by the Higher Institute of International Relations Venâncio de Moura, aimed to raise awareness to academics, diplomats and students on the current reality of the Russian Federation.
Source: allafrica.com
Luanda — Angola's inclusion on the list of Observer Countries of BRICS, a group of emerging economies, was defended Thursday in Luanda by Vladimir Tararov, the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Russian Federation to Angola.
Speaking to the press at the end of a talk on "the current situation in the Russian Federation", Vladimir Tararov made it known that the need to integrate Angola in the Brics is due to its preponderant contribution in the resolution of conflicts, with emphasis in the southern region of the African Continent.
According to the diplomat, Angola has great prestige in Africa, due to its active participation in the peaceful settlement of major conflicts in several African countries.
The diplomat believes that if Angola is accepted as an observer member, the Brics group will more easily absorb its ability to analyze and resolve conflicts.
The lecture, promoted by the Higher Institute of International Relations Venâncio de Moura, aimed to raise awareness to academics, diplomats and students on the current reality of the Russian Federation.
The concentric circles of South Africa's foreign policy (Концентрические круги внешней политики Южной Африки) / Nigeria, April, 2018
Keywords: expert_opinion
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
Nigeria
Source: guardian.ng
It is an often repeated truism in foreign policy that countries can only be strong abroad if they are strong at home.
Post-apartheid South Africa remains one of the world's most unequal societies. Its white-dominated companies are ubiquitous across the continent.
The apartheid-era army's destabilisation of its neighbours has also left a profound distrust of South African military interventionism.
However, South Africa is the only African country in the Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICS) Grouping and the Group of 20 major economies, and is one of only 11 global strategic partners of the European Union (EU).
The recent publication of a 24-chapter volume Foreign Policy in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Security, Diplomacy and Trade - which I co-edited - is thus a much-needed addition to the literature.
The book seeks to bridge the gap between theory and praxis by including six practitioner-authors from South Africa's foreign, trade and defence sectors. Half of the authors are also from other African countries, as well as from North America, Europe and Asia.
South Africa's post-1994 foreign policy is examined through four overlapping "concentric circles," with the first focusing on domestic South African constraints, the second on Southern Africa, the third on the broader African continent and the fourth on relations with the rest of the world outside Africa.
The concept of hegemony is also used to explain South Africa's leadership role. Nelson Mandela sought to promote a human rights-based foreign policy which sometimes proved difficult to pursue in a world of Realpolitik.
Thabo Mbeki consistently pursued an "African Agenda," building the institutions of the African Union (AU) and deploying 3,000 troops to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Jacob Zuma continued to stress "the African Agenda," while pursuing a national interest–driven foreign policy and a more openly mercantilist trade policy.
In Southern Africa, Tshwane developed strong ties with Mozambique, mediated in Zimbabwe, and developed a strategic partnership with Angola during the Zuma era.
In the Great Lakes, South Africa pursued peacemaking in Burundi and the DRC, but has had fractious relations with Rwanda.
Ties with Nigeria were strategic under the Mbeki era, and this remains potentially Africa's indispensable relationship. Economic ties have been strong with Ghana, while peacemaking dominated relations with Côte d'Ivoire under Mbeki.
In Eastern Africa, Tanzania has been used to bridge South Africa's peacemaking efforts in the Great Lakes. Tshwane has also pursued mediation in Sudan and South Sudan.
In North Africa, South Africa has sought to reformulate its policy towards Egypt, Tunisia and Libya in light of the 2011 "Afro-Arab Spring."
Tshwane's key sub-regional multilateral ties are within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), institutions that neighbouring states still fear could be used by South Africa and big business to dominate the sub-region.
At the continental level, South Africa's Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma chaired the AU Commission between 2012 and 2016.
Moving to the world beyond Africa, Anglo-South African relations were mostly warm, with some tensions over Tshwane's mediation role in Zimbabwe under Mbeki.
Franco-South African ties have seen some cooperation, but also diplomatic clashes over Paris's efforts to frustrate Tshwane's role in Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic (CAR), and Madagascar.
Americo-South African relations witnessed peacemaking cooperation in Burundi, the DRC and South Sudan but also tensions over the growing American military presence in Africa.
South Africa's BRICS partner, China, has become its largest bilateral trade partner. The book concludes with an exploration of multilateral ties, focusing on the United Nations, the BRICS, the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Group, the EU, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Tshwane served on the UN Security Council in 2007–2008 and 2011–2012, and played a leadership role in stalemated trade talks at the WTO. Its relations with the EU, in the context of the ACP, has seen tensions in negotiating an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
While South Africa can be considered a regional hegemony, it lacks the influence to affect institutions of global governance such as the World Bank and the IMF.
However, working with key regional states, could Tshwane formulate a future continental "Monroe Doctrine" that keeps French and American troops out of Africa in search of a Pax Africana?
Prof. Adebajo is director of the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Source: guardian.ng
It is an often repeated truism in foreign policy that countries can only be strong abroad if they are strong at home.
Post-apartheid South Africa remains one of the world's most unequal societies. Its white-dominated companies are ubiquitous across the continent.
The apartheid-era army's destabilisation of its neighbours has also left a profound distrust of South African military interventionism.
However, South Africa is the only African country in the Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICS) Grouping and the Group of 20 major economies, and is one of only 11 global strategic partners of the European Union (EU).
The recent publication of a 24-chapter volume Foreign Policy in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Security, Diplomacy and Trade - which I co-edited - is thus a much-needed addition to the literature.
The book seeks to bridge the gap between theory and praxis by including six practitioner-authors from South Africa's foreign, trade and defence sectors. Half of the authors are also from other African countries, as well as from North America, Europe and Asia.
South Africa's post-1994 foreign policy is examined through four overlapping "concentric circles," with the first focusing on domestic South African constraints, the second on Southern Africa, the third on the broader African continent and the fourth on relations with the rest of the world outside Africa.
The concept of hegemony is also used to explain South Africa's leadership role. Nelson Mandela sought to promote a human rights-based foreign policy which sometimes proved difficult to pursue in a world of Realpolitik.
Thabo Mbeki consistently pursued an "African Agenda," building the institutions of the African Union (AU) and deploying 3,000 troops to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Jacob Zuma continued to stress "the African Agenda," while pursuing a national interest–driven foreign policy and a more openly mercantilist trade policy.
In Southern Africa, Tshwane developed strong ties with Mozambique, mediated in Zimbabwe, and developed a strategic partnership with Angola during the Zuma era.
In the Great Lakes, South Africa pursued peacemaking in Burundi and the DRC, but has had fractious relations with Rwanda.
Ties with Nigeria were strategic under the Mbeki era, and this remains potentially Africa's indispensable relationship. Economic ties have been strong with Ghana, while peacemaking dominated relations with Côte d'Ivoire under Mbeki.
In Eastern Africa, Tanzania has been used to bridge South Africa's peacemaking efforts in the Great Lakes. Tshwane has also pursued mediation in Sudan and South Sudan.
In North Africa, South Africa has sought to reformulate its policy towards Egypt, Tunisia and Libya in light of the 2011 "Afro-Arab Spring."
Tshwane's key sub-regional multilateral ties are within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), institutions that neighbouring states still fear could be used by South Africa and big business to dominate the sub-region.
At the continental level, South Africa's Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma chaired the AU Commission between 2012 and 2016.
Moving to the world beyond Africa, Anglo-South African relations were mostly warm, with some tensions over Tshwane's mediation role in Zimbabwe under Mbeki.
Franco-South African ties have seen some cooperation, but also diplomatic clashes over Paris's efforts to frustrate Tshwane's role in Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic (CAR), and Madagascar.
Americo-South African relations witnessed peacemaking cooperation in Burundi, the DRC and South Sudan but also tensions over the growing American military presence in Africa.
South Africa's BRICS partner, China, has become its largest bilateral trade partner. The book concludes with an exploration of multilateral ties, focusing on the United Nations, the BRICS, the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Group, the EU, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Tshwane served on the UN Security Council in 2007–2008 and 2011–2012, and played a leadership role in stalemated trade talks at the WTO. Its relations with the EU, in the context of the ACP, has seen tensions in negotiating an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
While South Africa can be considered a regional hegemony, it lacks the influence to affect institutions of global governance such as the World Bank and the IMF.
However, working with key regional states, could Tshwane formulate a future continental "Monroe Doctrine" that keeps French and American troops out of Africa in search of a Pax Africana?
Prof. Adebajo is director of the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
China strengthens international space cooperation (Китай укрепляет международное космическое сотрудничество) / China, April, 2018
Keywords: space, global_governance, quotation
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
China
Source: www.chinadaily.com.cn
BEIJING - China will continue to strengthen international cooperation in peaceful exploration and utilization of outer space, said Li Guoping, a spokesman of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Thursday.
So far, China has signed 121 cooperation agreements with 37 countries and four international organizations, Li said at a press conference about the Space Day of China, which will come on April 24, marking the day the country's first satellite was sent into space in 1970.
He raised the example of the 30-year-long cooperation between China and Brazil in the development of earth resources satellites. Currently, the two countries are jointly developing a fourth satellite, which is progressing well.
China and France are also in close collaboration. An ocean-observing satellite jointly developed by the two countries will be sent into orbit this year, which will be used to study global climate change. The two countries are also cooperating in developing an astronomical satellite.
In February, a seismic-electromagnetic satellite, jointly developed by China and Italy, was launched to study seismic precursors, which might help establish a ground-space earthquake monitoring and forecasting network in the future.
"In addition, China has sold 11 commercial satellites, including communication and remote sensing satellites, to other countries. China launched Algeria's first communication satellite in December last year," Li said.
"China has offered assistance and services to other developing countries. We provided our satellite data to countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Peru to help them monitor floods and forest fires.
"China will push forward the construction of the BRICS remote-sensing satellite constellation and the Belt and Road Initiative Space Information Corridor.
"China will collaborate with the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) to adjust the distribution of the meteorological satellites in orbit to better service the members of APSCO.
"China will build a remote-sensing information application platform with Thailand, Laos, Burma and Cambodia.
"China also intends to have a wider international cooperation in the fields of lunar probe, deep space exploration and space science. China recently had talks with Russia and the European Space Agency on further cooperation in deep space exploration."
Source: www.chinadaily.com.cn
BEIJING - China will continue to strengthen international cooperation in peaceful exploration and utilization of outer space, said Li Guoping, a spokesman of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Thursday.
So far, China has signed 121 cooperation agreements with 37 countries and four international organizations, Li said at a press conference about the Space Day of China, which will come on April 24, marking the day the country's first satellite was sent into space in 1970.
He raised the example of the 30-year-long cooperation between China and Brazil in the development of earth resources satellites. Currently, the two countries are jointly developing a fourth satellite, which is progressing well.
China and France are also in close collaboration. An ocean-observing satellite jointly developed by the two countries will be sent into orbit this year, which will be used to study global climate change. The two countries are also cooperating in developing an astronomical satellite.
In February, a seismic-electromagnetic satellite, jointly developed by China and Italy, was launched to study seismic precursors, which might help establish a ground-space earthquake monitoring and forecasting network in the future.
"In addition, China has sold 11 commercial satellites, including communication and remote sensing satellites, to other countries. China launched Algeria's first communication satellite in December last year," Li said.
"China has offered assistance and services to other developing countries. We provided our satellite data to countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Peru to help them monitor floods and forest fires.
"China will push forward the construction of the BRICS remote-sensing satellite constellation and the Belt and Road Initiative Space Information Corridor.
"China will collaborate with the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) to adjust the distribution of the meteorological satellites in orbit to better service the members of APSCO.
"China will build a remote-sensing information application platform with Thailand, Laos, Burma and Cambodia.
"China also intends to have a wider international cooperation in the fields of lunar probe, deep space exploration and space science. China recently had talks with Russia and the European Space Agency on further cooperation in deep space exploration."
Challenges at crucial moment facing China's approach to global governance (Вызовы, которые стоят перед Китаем в решающий момент подхода к глобальному управлению) / China, April, 2018
Keywords: global_governance, expert_opinion
2018-04-22
2018-04-22
China
Source: www.globaltimes.cn
Editor's Note:
Protectionism and unilateralism have risen enormously around the world. Since last year, the US has initiated trade disputes, launched military strikes against Syria, and withdrew from several international agreements, causing damage to global governance and globalization. On the contrary, China has been making greater efforts to support multilateralism. What challenges will China meet in participating in global governance? The Global Times has collected the opinions of four experts who spoke at the forum Enhancing Global Governance for Mutual Benefit and Win-Win Cooperation at Peking University last week.
Jia Qingguo, dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University
China needs to attach importance on international multilateral cooperation more than ever because of the country's interests and development path of reform and opening-up.
It is hard for China, due to its size, to guarantee its own interests by taking a free ride. Instead, it must take the initiative to maintain international order. But a high price needs to be paid for maintaining the international order. To maintain the global order in an efficient way, China needs to participate in and lead international cooperation more proactively.
China faces many difficulties in participating in international cooperation. First, China is a rising country. It is a major power yet it is not a developed economy. So its identity and interests are paradoxical. China is simultaneously strong and weak, rich and poor, depending on which parts you see. Hence, China needs to protect developing countries' interests and also advocate energy conservation and emission reduction like a developed country.
Such complexity brings hurdles in participating in international cooperation.
Second, China is rising very quickly, but its mentality of being a weak nation has not yet changed. Many Chinese have not realized that ties between China and the world are not zero-sum, and they share a common future.
Third, China is lacking knowledge and talent in global governance and multilateral cooperation, and China's ability in leading international cooperation is far from meeting the demands placed on it.
To solve these problems, China should realize the complexity of its identity and interests, and manage them properly. As a big power, China cannot only see its current interests, but also needs to consider its future interests.
Wu Hongbo, president of China International Public Relations Association, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations
Currently, international society is going through tremendous changes and five trends need to be noticed. First, the international multilateral mechanism faces huge challenges. Second, economic globalization has been enormously damaged. Third, developing countries are transforming the global framework. Fourth, capitalism is in crisis. Fifth, protecting humanity's common future has become a global consensus.
China has benefited from the international order formed after World War II and is a proponent and contributor to world peace and development. China has participated in almost all intergovernmental organizations and over 400 multilateral agreements. It is playing an increasingly bigger role in global affairs. China has advocated that all countries build a better world together, made efforts to guarantee world peace and justice, promote South-South cooperation, boost global sustainable development and lead world development with Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach.
At present, the global governance system is at a crucial moment, which is going through transformation and reform. As a political and economic major power, China needs to contribute as follows: Promoting the reform of international organizations to adapt to the changes in the international situation; Leading world development with Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach; Realizing sustainable development and sharing successful development experience with the world; Deepening South-South cooperation, promoting the Belt and Road initiative and participating in international affairs more proactively.
Yang Jiemian, chairman of Academic Affairs Council, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
The ongoing efforts on global governance structures are unprecedented both in depth and width. Now the world sees the greatest-ever participation of both developed and developing nations, both state and non-state actors, and both the elites and the public.
At present there is a big gap between the needs in global governance and what we can do. It is a long-term effort for the entire international community to build up and further improve the relevant conditions, core principles, mechanisms, strategies and policies. China cannot do it alone. China needs to interact more frequently and constructively with other members of the international community. In particular, China should be more modest and anxious to learn from others. These great goals should and could be realized in phases and stages. In this regard, the international community needs to work at agreements on general principles as well as pragmatic efforts.
Guo Shuyong, dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University
There have been several reasons for China to take on a leading role in global governance. The relative decline of the West and the rise of Asia provide China a chance to be a world economic leader. Meanwhile, the US is giving up its leadership in some fields because of its strategy. Last but not least, socialism with Chinese characteristics provides a political guarantee domestically for the nation's performance on the global arena.
Although China is a huge country with strong economic strength, the US remains No.1 in technology innovation, soft power as well as military strength. Washington still dominates in most global affairs. China's role in global governance is mainly in the area of economics.
Therefore, China needs to participate in cooperative leadership based on a new type of major-power relationship between China and the US with the coordination of global organizations, like the UN, G20 and BRICS. Guided by the principle of global governance, China will advocate for common values of the mankind, such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom.
Source: www.globaltimes.cn
Editor's Note:
Protectionism and unilateralism have risen enormously around the world. Since last year, the US has initiated trade disputes, launched military strikes against Syria, and withdrew from several international agreements, causing damage to global governance and globalization. On the contrary, China has been making greater efforts to support multilateralism. What challenges will China meet in participating in global governance? The Global Times has collected the opinions of four experts who spoke at the forum Enhancing Global Governance for Mutual Benefit and Win-Win Cooperation at Peking University last week.
Jia Qingguo, dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University
China needs to attach importance on international multilateral cooperation more than ever because of the country's interests and development path of reform and opening-up.
It is hard for China, due to its size, to guarantee its own interests by taking a free ride. Instead, it must take the initiative to maintain international order. But a high price needs to be paid for maintaining the international order. To maintain the global order in an efficient way, China needs to participate in and lead international cooperation more proactively.
China faces many difficulties in participating in international cooperation. First, China is a rising country. It is a major power yet it is not a developed economy. So its identity and interests are paradoxical. China is simultaneously strong and weak, rich and poor, depending on which parts you see. Hence, China needs to protect developing countries' interests and also advocate energy conservation and emission reduction like a developed country.
Such complexity brings hurdles in participating in international cooperation.
Second, China is rising very quickly, but its mentality of being a weak nation has not yet changed. Many Chinese have not realized that ties between China and the world are not zero-sum, and they share a common future.
Third, China is lacking knowledge and talent in global governance and multilateral cooperation, and China's ability in leading international cooperation is far from meeting the demands placed on it.
To solve these problems, China should realize the complexity of its identity and interests, and manage them properly. As a big power, China cannot only see its current interests, but also needs to consider its future interests.
Wu Hongbo, president of China International Public Relations Association, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations
Currently, international society is going through tremendous changes and five trends need to be noticed. First, the international multilateral mechanism faces huge challenges. Second, economic globalization has been enormously damaged. Third, developing countries are transforming the global framework. Fourth, capitalism is in crisis. Fifth, protecting humanity's common future has become a global consensus.
China has benefited from the international order formed after World War II and is a proponent and contributor to world peace and development. China has participated in almost all intergovernmental organizations and over 400 multilateral agreements. It is playing an increasingly bigger role in global affairs. China has advocated that all countries build a better world together, made efforts to guarantee world peace and justice, promote South-South cooperation, boost global sustainable development and lead world development with Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach.
At present, the global governance system is at a crucial moment, which is going through transformation and reform. As a political and economic major power, China needs to contribute as follows: Promoting the reform of international organizations to adapt to the changes in the international situation; Leading world development with Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach; Realizing sustainable development and sharing successful development experience with the world; Deepening South-South cooperation, promoting the Belt and Road initiative and participating in international affairs more proactively.
Yang Jiemian, chairman of Academic Affairs Council, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
The ongoing efforts on global governance structures are unprecedented both in depth and width. Now the world sees the greatest-ever participation of both developed and developing nations, both state and non-state actors, and both the elites and the public.
At present there is a big gap between the needs in global governance and what we can do. It is a long-term effort for the entire international community to build up and further improve the relevant conditions, core principles, mechanisms, strategies and policies. China cannot do it alone. China needs to interact more frequently and constructively with other members of the international community. In particular, China should be more modest and anxious to learn from others. These great goals should and could be realized in phases and stages. In this regard, the international community needs to work at agreements on general principles as well as pragmatic efforts.
Guo Shuyong, dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University
There have been several reasons for China to take on a leading role in global governance. The relative decline of the West and the rise of Asia provide China a chance to be a world economic leader. Meanwhile, the US is giving up its leadership in some fields because of its strategy. Last but not least, socialism with Chinese characteristics provides a political guarantee domestically for the nation's performance on the global arena.
Although China is a huge country with strong economic strength, the US remains No.1 in technology innovation, soft power as well as military strength. Washington still dominates in most global affairs. China's role in global governance is mainly in the area of economics.
Therefore, China needs to participate in cooperative leadership based on a new type of major-power relationship between China and the US with the coordination of global organizations, like the UN, G20 and BRICS. Guided by the principle of global governance, China will advocate for common values of the mankind, such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom.
Investment and Finance
Investment and finance in BRICS
BRICS Agrees To Strengthen Cooperation (Страны БРИКС соглашаются укреплять сотрудничество) / South Africa, April, 2018
Keywords: quotation, trade_relations, concluded_agreements, SARS
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
South Africa
Source: www.africaprimenews.com
BRICS member countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance to facilitate trade between bloc countries and other developing countries.
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) customs administrations are in Durban for the 10th Annual BRICS Customs Experts Technical Working Group hosted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The working group meeting got underway on Wednesday with one of the main focus areas of the high-level meeting being the establishment of an enabling legal framework for BRICS Customs cooperation.
"Delegates from BRICS member countries… have agreed to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance to facilitate trade between member countries and other developing countries. The BRICS countries have implemented various models of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, which give preferential treatment to certain traders, importers and exporters," said the revenue service on Thursday.
While AEO programmes have demonstrated their effectiveness in strengthening supply chain management and economic competitiveness, the BRICS members are at different stages of development.
"The meeting agreed that it would be more beneficial at this stage to share information and identify priorities with the aim of working towards bilateral agreements. It was further agreed that certain areas of the Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAAA) should be improved before adaptation."
The countries are also aiming for cooperation in human resource development, data exchange and addressing trade grievances.
The two-day meeting emphasised the need to finalise the BRICS Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAAA) by 2021. The agreement would enable the seamless movement of goods among member countries and bring the reality of economic cooperation even closer.
The meeting deliberated on the value of an integrated risk management system as a key area in terms of risk identification, not only for Customs but also for tax administration purposes.
"This will likely form part of the agenda in the upcoming BRICS Tax meetings in June this year, to be hosted by SARS in Johannesburg. These annual gatherings have been beneficial for the BRICS bloc, which has seen enhanced collaboration over the last decade," said the revenue service.
Source: www.africaprimenews.com
BRICS member countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance to facilitate trade between bloc countries and other developing countries.
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) customs administrations are in Durban for the 10th Annual BRICS Customs Experts Technical Working Group hosted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The working group meeting got underway on Wednesday with one of the main focus areas of the high-level meeting being the establishment of an enabling legal framework for BRICS Customs cooperation.
"Delegates from BRICS member countries… have agreed to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance to facilitate trade between member countries and other developing countries. The BRICS countries have implemented various models of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, which give preferential treatment to certain traders, importers and exporters," said the revenue service on Thursday.
While AEO programmes have demonstrated their effectiveness in strengthening supply chain management and economic competitiveness, the BRICS members are at different stages of development.
"The meeting agreed that it would be more beneficial at this stage to share information and identify priorities with the aim of working towards bilateral agreements. It was further agreed that certain areas of the Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAAA) should be improved before adaptation."
The countries are also aiming for cooperation in human resource development, data exchange and addressing trade grievances.
The two-day meeting emphasised the need to finalise the BRICS Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAAA) by 2021. The agreement would enable the seamless movement of goods among member countries and bring the reality of economic cooperation even closer.
The meeting deliberated on the value of an integrated risk management system as a key area in terms of risk identification, not only for Customs but also for tax administration purposes.
"This will likely form part of the agenda in the upcoming BRICS Tax meetings in June this year, to be hosted by SARS in Johannesburg. These annual gatherings have been beneficial for the BRICS bloc, which has seen enhanced collaboration over the last decade," said the revenue service.
BRICs economist Jim O'Neill to chair UK's Chatham House think tank (Экономист БРИКC Джим О'Нил возглавил аналитический центр Chatham House в Великобритании) / United Kingdom, April, 2018
Keywords: jim_oneill, concluded_agreements
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
United Kingdom
Source: www.reuters.com
LONDON (Reuters) - Former Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill - best known for coining the BRICs acronym for the fast-growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China - will chair British foreign policy think tank Chatham House.
Prime Minister David Cameron made him a government minister in May 2015, a job he held until September 2016 and in which he promoted trade ties with China and infrastructure investment in northern England.
Chatham House, officially known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, publishes research on Brexit, the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy as well as climate change and public health.
O'Neill's appointment "coincides with a period when many of the structures and principles that have supported global growth and buttressed peace are under threat," Chatham House director Robin Niblett said.
He will take over in July from the current chair, Stuart Popham, a financial lawyer and a vice-chairman at Citigroup.
Source: www.reuters.com
LONDON (Reuters) - Former Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill - best known for coining the BRICs acronym for the fast-growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China - will chair British foreign policy think tank Chatham House.
Prime Minister David Cameron made him a government minister in May 2015, a job he held until September 2016 and in which he promoted trade ties with China and infrastructure investment in northern England.
Chatham House, officially known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, publishes research on Brexit, the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy as well as climate change and public health.
O'Neill's appointment "coincides with a period when many of the structures and principles that have supported global growth and buttressed peace are under threat," Chatham House director Robin Niblett said.
He will take over in July from the current chair, Stuart Popham, a financial lawyer and a vice-chairman at Citigroup.
India's growth rate highest among BRICS nations: Report (Индекс роста Индии среди стран БРИКС самый высокий: отчет) / India, April, 2018
Keywords: economic_challenges, rating, research
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
India
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India has been recording the highest growth rate amongst the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) economies, a KPMG report said here on Thursday.
According to the report titled "India Soars Higher", in spite of some reformative steps that slowed the growth momentum in the first quarter of FY18, the economy is likely to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2018 -- higher than the advanced economies and the world -- which are at 2 per cent and 3 per cent respectively.
The report highlighted that India's economic stability is further reinforced with its approximately $420 billion (as on February 9, 2018) foreign exchange reserves which provides sufficient cover for almost 11 months of imports for India.
The report -- launched by Law and Justice and Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at the 12th edition of Mindmine Summit 2018 -- provided insights into the rapidly changing business outlook for India and analysed the progress achieved under several national priority programmes.
"India today is moving towards a period of sustained growth. Reforms such as the bankruptcy code and the Goods and Services Tax and a keen focus on investments in infrastructure are important elements of the foundation for such growth," said Arun M. Kumar, Chairman and CEO, KPMG in India.
"Rising aspirations, the country's young demographics and a vibrant consumer market will make India an increasingly important business and investment destination," he said.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India has been recording the highest growth rate amongst the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) economies, a KPMG report said here on Thursday.
According to the report titled "India Soars Higher", in spite of some reformative steps that slowed the growth momentum in the first quarter of FY18, the economy is likely to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2018 -- higher than the advanced economies and the world -- which are at 2 per cent and 3 per cent respectively.
The report highlighted that India's economic stability is further reinforced with its approximately $420 billion (as on February 9, 2018) foreign exchange reserves which provides sufficient cover for almost 11 months of imports for India.
The report -- launched by Law and Justice and Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at the 12th edition of Mindmine Summit 2018 -- provided insights into the rapidly changing business outlook for India and analysed the progress achieved under several national priority programmes.
"India today is moving towards a period of sustained growth. Reforms such as the bankruptcy code and the Goods and Services Tax and a keen focus on investments in infrastructure are important elements of the foundation for such growth," said Arun M. Kumar, Chairman and CEO, KPMG in India.
"Rising aspirations, the country's young demographics and a vibrant consumer market will make India an increasingly important business and investment destination," he said.
India's Economic Affairs Secretary participates in BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Washington DC (Секретарь по экономическим вопросам Индии участвует в совещании министров финансов БРИКС и руководителей центральных банков в Вашингтоне, округ Колумбия) / India, April, 2018
Keywords: economic_challenges, ndb, top_level_meeting
2018-04-20
2018-04-20
India
Source: www.devdiscourse.com
On the issue of expansion of NDB's project pipeline across member nations evenly, Shri Garg was of the view that the objective has to be balanced with member country's requirement for infrastructure financing.
The first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings on 19th April, 2018 in Washington D.C. Ministry of Finance, Government of India was represented in the meeting by Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (EA).
The main issues that the meeting discussed were related to enhancing the project pipelines of New Development Bank (NDB) evenly across member countries, expansion of NDB's membership, the proposal of the South African Presidency for setting up a working group on illicit financial flows and a BRICS Task Force on Public Private Partnership. Issues related to BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) as well as BRICS Bond Fund were also discussed.
Shri Garg, Secretary (EA) in his interventions emphasised that India has been a constructive participant in the discussions on NDB's membership expansion. He expressed that a more careful and cautious approach to the value and addition/ benefits new member will bring to the Bank would be desirable rather than setting deadlines which are practically difficult to achieve. On the issue of expansion of NDB's project pipeline across member nations evenly, Shri Garg was of the view that the objective has to be balanced with member country's requirement for infrastructure financing.
Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA),@SecretaryDEA Mr. Subhash Chandra Garg and RBI, Governor, Dr Urjit Patel participating in BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting during the 2018 Spring Meetings of IMF & World Bank in Washington D.C. yesterday.
On the proposal for setting up the Working Group on Illicit Financial Flows and BRICS PPP Task Force, Secretary (EA) expressed India's appreciation on the proposal. However, he suggested that NDB already has a Project Preparation Fund hence a separate similar preparation fund for PPP will not be desirable. This Project Preparation Fund also will be able to serve projects preparation of PPP projects as well.
In view of India's experience to develop brownfield infrastructure projects as an asset class, Shri Garg Secretary (EA) suggested that the BRICS may consider this more readily available infrastructure asset class for getting finances from pension funds, sovereign wealth funds etc. as sources of financing. He also sought the support of the Presidency in building consensus amongst the BRICS membership on the BRICS Rating Agency proposal. He requested the Presidency to receive and take forward the Report to be submitted by Expert Group set up under the aegis of BRICS Business Council to study the feasibility of the BRICS Rating Agency.
Source: www.devdiscourse.com
On the issue of expansion of NDB's project pipeline across member nations evenly, Shri Garg was of the view that the objective has to be balanced with member country's requirement for infrastructure financing.
The first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings on 19th April, 2018 in Washington D.C. Ministry of Finance, Government of India was represented in the meeting by Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (EA).
The main issues that the meeting discussed were related to enhancing the project pipelines of New Development Bank (NDB) evenly across member countries, expansion of NDB's membership, the proposal of the South African Presidency for setting up a working group on illicit financial flows and a BRICS Task Force on Public Private Partnership. Issues related to BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) as well as BRICS Bond Fund were also discussed.
Shri Garg, Secretary (EA) in his interventions emphasised that India has been a constructive participant in the discussions on NDB's membership expansion. He expressed that a more careful and cautious approach to the value and addition/ benefits new member will bring to the Bank would be desirable rather than setting deadlines which are practically difficult to achieve. On the issue of expansion of NDB's project pipeline across member nations evenly, Shri Garg was of the view that the objective has to be balanced with member country's requirement for infrastructure financing.
Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA),@SecretaryDEA Mr. Subhash Chandra Garg and RBI, Governor, Dr Urjit Patel participating in BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting during the 2018 Spring Meetings of IMF & World Bank in Washington D.C. yesterday.
On the proposal for setting up the Working Group on Illicit Financial Flows and BRICS PPP Task Force, Secretary (EA) expressed India's appreciation on the proposal. However, he suggested that NDB already has a Project Preparation Fund hence a separate similar preparation fund for PPP will not be desirable. This Project Preparation Fund also will be able to serve projects preparation of PPP projects as well.
In view of India's experience to develop brownfield infrastructure projects as an asset class, Shri Garg Secretary (EA) suggested that the BRICS may consider this more readily available infrastructure asset class for getting finances from pension funds, sovereign wealth funds etc. as sources of financing. He also sought the support of the Presidency in building consensus amongst the BRICS membership on the BRICS Rating Agency proposal. He requested the Presidency to receive and take forward the Report to be submitted by Expert Group set up under the aegis of BRICS Business Council to study the feasibility of the BRICS Rating Agency.
The BRICS dilemma (Дилемма БРИКС) / India, April, 2018
Keywords: global_governance, expert_opinion, ndb, economic_challenges
2018-04-18
2018-04-18
India
Source: www.orfonline.org
Since its inception, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, south Africa grouping) has forcefully argued that in the emerging world order, the West lacks both the moral and political authority to set the rules of globalisation and dictate for sovereign states how they should or should not behave.
Moreover, as an organisation between three global powers, China, India and Russia, and two regional powers, Brazil and South Africa, the BRICS has potential to become a global agenda setter. This situation has given rise to an extensive debate on the BRICS and the future of globalisation. Some seek to debase its importance, some to overstate it. The problem is the complex constitutions of the BRICS, united by some common concerns and driven apart by differences of political preferences and conflicts. This, in a nutshell, is the dilemma of the BRICS — the outspoken desire to the change the world and the questionable ability to do so.
The BRICS is committed to the existing multilateral institutions, but is critical towards how they are run. A primary object of discontent is the oversized influence of the North Atlantic powers. This is also a key reason for the project of institution building that started in 2012. So far, the BRICS has created two institutions, the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
The NDB is complementary to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It seeks to direct finances for infrastructural projects including energy, transportation and water. Importantly, the BRICS financing is delinked from the policy reforms and conditions that the traditional institutions are known of. In the Bank's strategy this is clearly stated in the following manner:
National sovereignty is of paramount importance to NDB in its interactions with member countries. NDB's mandate does not include prescribing policy, regulatory and institutional reforms to borrowing countries. (NDB's General Strategy: 2017 – 2021, p. 11.)
However, there is very little if anything which would speak in favour of an emerging 'BRICS Consensus' as opposed and alternative to the 'Washington Consensus' — defined by privatisations, cuts of public spending and export oriented market reforms. At the same time, instead of embracing the former ideology of development, the NDB would seem to invite discussions and debates on development.
The bank will constructively engage the international community as an independent voice on development trends and practices. As a new institution, NDB has much to learn from the wealth of experience of multilateral and bilateral development institutions, as well as civil society and academic organisations. (NDB's General Strategy: 2017 – 2021, p. 11.)
The CRA, on the other hand, is linked to IMF. The objective of the CRA is to provide safety net against potential shocks in global financial markets and the possible resulting balance of payment problem. If and when any BRICS country has to rely on the CRA, and when it needs more money than 30% of its borrowing quota, it must first seek structural adjustment loans from the IMF before it can receive more support from the CRA.
It is thus possible to think that the CRA actually evidences BRICS' approval of the Washington based ideology of economic development — which led the so called lost decades in Latin America in 1980s and is currently causing the same kind of destitute in the South-European euro-countries. (See Patrick Bond, 2016, "BRICS banking and the debate over subimperialism," Third World Quarterly 37:4, 611–629.) However, this inference can be questioned with:
The dilemma is that the BRICS on one hand seek to promote some form of pluralism in the international arena and on the other do not seem to offer an alternative.
For example, Leslie Maasdorp, the vice president of the NDB, was the main privatiser of South Africa's state assets and has a history in Bank of America and Barclays, whereas the vice president appointed by Brazil, Mr. Paulo Nogueira Batista, an economist and former director at the IMF, is a known critique of the former consensus.
In consequence, one should perhaps give some emphasis to the mere occasion of making discussion possible. If the BRICS has accomplished something, it has made it structurally possible to provide different views in the World Bank and IMF, and that in their own institution of development finance they seek to learn, implicate a rupture with the old. This rupture itself is an enabler and thus an occasion of importance.
The question, however, remains, to what extend is the BRICS able to embrace and promote plural discussion. NDB has not, contrary to what one might assume, entered into an agreement with the Bank of Alba, a Latin American financial institution which builds on alternative perspectives to economic development (e.g., Eduardo Gudynas, "Beyond varieties of development: disputes and alternatives", Third World Quarterly 37:4, 721–732).
Source: www.orfonline.org
Since its inception, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, south Africa grouping) has forcefully argued that in the emerging world order, the West lacks both the moral and political authority to set the rules of globalisation and dictate for sovereign states how they should or should not behave.
Moreover, as an organisation between three global powers, China, India and Russia, and two regional powers, Brazil and South Africa, the BRICS has potential to become a global agenda setter. This situation has given rise to an extensive debate on the BRICS and the future of globalisation. Some seek to debase its importance, some to overstate it. The problem is the complex constitutions of the BRICS, united by some common concerns and driven apart by differences of political preferences and conflicts. This, in a nutshell, is the dilemma of the BRICS — the outspoken desire to the change the world and the questionable ability to do so.
The BRICS is committed to the existing multilateral institutions, but is critical towards how they are run. A primary object of discontent is the oversized influence of the North Atlantic powers. This is also a key reason for the project of institution building that started in 2012. So far, the BRICS has created two institutions, the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
The NDB is complementary to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It seeks to direct finances for infrastructural projects including energy, transportation and water. Importantly, the BRICS financing is delinked from the policy reforms and conditions that the traditional institutions are known of. In the Bank's strategy this is clearly stated in the following manner:
National sovereignty is of paramount importance to NDB in its interactions with member countries. NDB's mandate does not include prescribing policy, regulatory and institutional reforms to borrowing countries. (NDB's General Strategy: 2017 – 2021, p. 11.)
However, there is very little if anything which would speak in favour of an emerging 'BRICS Consensus' as opposed and alternative to the 'Washington Consensus' — defined by privatisations, cuts of public spending and export oriented market reforms. At the same time, instead of embracing the former ideology of development, the NDB would seem to invite discussions and debates on development.
The bank will constructively engage the international community as an independent voice on development trends and practices. As a new institution, NDB has much to learn from the wealth of experience of multilateral and bilateral development institutions, as well as civil society and academic organisations. (NDB's General Strategy: 2017 – 2021, p. 11.)
The CRA, on the other hand, is linked to IMF. The objective of the CRA is to provide safety net against potential shocks in global financial markets and the possible resulting balance of payment problem. If and when any BRICS country has to rely on the CRA, and when it needs more money than 30% of its borrowing quota, it must first seek structural adjustment loans from the IMF before it can receive more support from the CRA.
It is thus possible to think that the CRA actually evidences BRICS' approval of the Washington based ideology of economic development — which led the so called lost decades in Latin America in 1980s and is currently causing the same kind of destitute in the South-European euro-countries. (See Patrick Bond, 2016, "BRICS banking and the debate over subimperialism," Third World Quarterly 37:4, 611–629.) However, this inference can be questioned with:
- the fact that NDB lacks the conditions that characterise the ideology of 'Washington Consensus', and,
- that the after the reforms of IMF and World Bank voting structure, the BRICS may now be in the position to challenge the old consensus from within the existing institutions.
The dilemma is that the BRICS on one hand seek to promote some form of pluralism in the international arena and on the other do not seem to offer an alternative.
For example, Leslie Maasdorp, the vice president of the NDB, was the main privatiser of South Africa's state assets and has a history in Bank of America and Barclays, whereas the vice president appointed by Brazil, Mr. Paulo Nogueira Batista, an economist and former director at the IMF, is a known critique of the former consensus.
In consequence, one should perhaps give some emphasis to the mere occasion of making discussion possible. If the BRICS has accomplished something, it has made it structurally possible to provide different views in the World Bank and IMF, and that in their own institution of development finance they seek to learn, implicate a rupture with the old. This rupture itself is an enabler and thus an occasion of importance.
The question, however, remains, to what extend is the BRICS able to embrace and promote plural discussion. NDB has not, contrary to what one might assume, entered into an agreement with the Bank of Alba, a Latin American financial institution which builds on alternative perspectives to economic development (e.g., Eduardo Gudynas, "Beyond varieties of development: disputes and alternatives", Third World Quarterly 37:4, 721–732).
Development Banks in the BRICS Countries (Банки развития в странах БРИКС) / Brazil, April, 2018
Keywords: research, rating
2018-04-16
2018-04-16
Brazil
Source: www.nkibrics.ru
This factsheet is an update version of the Factsheet "Development Banks in the BRICS Countries", published in 2013 by the BRICS Policy Center and Ibase.
Source: www.nkibrics.ru
This factsheet is an update version of the Factsheet "Development Banks in the BRICS Countries", published in 2013 by the BRICS Policy Center and Ibase.
BRICS Bank may get first international rating in late May - Russia's Finance Ministry (Банк БРИКС может получить первый международный рейтинг в конце мая - Минфин России) / Russia, April, 2018
Keywords: ndb, economic_challenges, investments, rating
2018-04-22
2018-04-22
Russia
Source: tass.com
WASHINGTON, April 22. /TASS/. The New Development Bank (NBR), created by the BRICS countries, may get its first international rating in late May, Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak told reporters on the sidelines of the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
"It's hard to say when. The bank's management asked would like to settle it by the annual meeting on May 28. But there is no such guarantee. Maybe one of the three agencies (will rate the bank by this time - TASS)," Storchak said.
According to him, Russia's position is not to force the events and not to obtain the rating artificially.
According to the Deputy Minister, on the margins of the meeting of the IMF and the World Bank, representatives of all the BRICS member-states met with the three leading rating agencies - S&P, Moody's and Fitch and discussed the assignment of the first rating to the development bank.
About the New Development Bank
The main task of the bank is to finance infrastructure projects and sustainable development projects in the BRICS countries and in developing countries. For two years of the bank's operations (2016-2017 - TASS), the bank approved 13 projects for a total amount of over $3.3 bln. This includes four projects in China, four in India, three in Russia and one in Brazil and South Africa.
According to the Bank's Strategy for 2017-2021, in 2018 it may approve new projects for the sum of between $4 bln and $5 bln.
The agreement on establishing BRICS New Development Bank was reached on July 15, 2014 in Brazil's Fortaleza. The authorized capital of the bank amounts to $100 billion. The Shanghai-headquartered bank has been set up to finance infrastructure projects and projects for sustainable development of BRICS and other developing countries.
BRICS is an informal association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The group was founded in June 2006 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and was known as BRIC prior to inclusion of South Africa in 2009.
Source: tass.com
WASHINGTON, April 22. /TASS/. The New Development Bank (NBR), created by the BRICS countries, may get its first international rating in late May, Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak told reporters on the sidelines of the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
"It's hard to say when. The bank's management asked would like to settle it by the annual meeting on May 28. But there is no such guarantee. Maybe one of the three agencies (will rate the bank by this time - TASS)," Storchak said.
According to him, Russia's position is not to force the events and not to obtain the rating artificially.
According to the Deputy Minister, on the margins of the meeting of the IMF and the World Bank, representatives of all the BRICS member-states met with the three leading rating agencies - S&P, Moody's and Fitch and discussed the assignment of the first rating to the development bank.
About the New Development Bank
The main task of the bank is to finance infrastructure projects and sustainable development projects in the BRICS countries and in developing countries. For two years of the bank's operations (2016-2017 - TASS), the bank approved 13 projects for a total amount of over $3.3 bln. This includes four projects in China, four in India, three in Russia and one in Brazil and South Africa.
According to the Bank's Strategy for 2017-2021, in 2018 it may approve new projects for the sum of between $4 bln and $5 bln.
The agreement on establishing BRICS New Development Bank was reached on July 15, 2014 in Brazil's Fortaleza. The authorized capital of the bank amounts to $100 billion. The Shanghai-headquartered bank has been set up to finance infrastructure projects and projects for sustainable development of BRICS and other developing countries.
BRICS is an informal association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The group was founded in June 2006 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and was known as BRIC prior to inclusion of South Africa in 2009.
China-Russia trade volume surges in 2018 (Объем торговли между Россией и Китаем вырастет в 2018 году) / China, April, 2018
Keywords: trade_relations, rating
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
China
Source: thebricspost.com
Trade between BRICS allies China and Russia has increased about 30 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, Chinese officials said.
The uptick in exchange between the two economic giants will take their trade to $100 billion in 2018, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng told reporters on Thursday.
Gao said that this year's trade volume would surpass last year's which was $84 billion – a 21 per cent rise over 2016.
In the past few years, multi-sector ties have been strengthened between China and Russia.
Last week, Russian oil giant Gazprom said that the Power of Siberia natural gas pipeline is 75 per cent complete and runs over 1,600 kilometers.
In May 2014, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping singed a landmark $400 billion gas deal under which Gazprom will supply the China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) 38 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas every year for 30 years.
The project will strengthen Russian-Chinese energy cooperation, and defines the main terms of the natural gas supply from Russia to China through the East-Route, including the cross-border section of the gas pipeline across the Amur River (the Heilongjiang River in China) near Blagoveshchensk (capital of the Amur region in the Russian Far East) and China's border city of Heihe.
The pipeline has geopolitical and strategic value as it means Russia's energy export targets are now eastward, and China can wean itself off the polluting coal as an energy supply.
The deal has brought both countries, BRICS members, closer and has been a massive boost to Sino-Russian ties even as Russia struggles with EU and US sanctions over Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Gao said that both countries are likely to benefit from the fifth China-Russia Expo in July and the China International Import Expo in November.
Source: thebricspost.com
Trade between BRICS allies China and Russia has increased about 30 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, Chinese officials said.
The uptick in exchange between the two economic giants will take their trade to $100 billion in 2018, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng told reporters on Thursday.
Gao said that this year's trade volume would surpass last year's which was $84 billion – a 21 per cent rise over 2016.
In the past few years, multi-sector ties have been strengthened between China and Russia.
Last week, Russian oil giant Gazprom said that the Power of Siberia natural gas pipeline is 75 per cent complete and runs over 1,600 kilometers.
In May 2014, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping singed a landmark $400 billion gas deal under which Gazprom will supply the China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) 38 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas every year for 30 years.
The project will strengthen Russian-Chinese energy cooperation, and defines the main terms of the natural gas supply from Russia to China through the East-Route, including the cross-border section of the gas pipeline across the Amur River (the Heilongjiang River in China) near Blagoveshchensk (capital of the Amur region in the Russian Far East) and China's border city of Heihe.
The pipeline has geopolitical and strategic value as it means Russia's energy export targets are now eastward, and China can wean itself off the polluting coal as an energy supply.
The deal has brought both countries, BRICS members, closer and has been a massive boost to Sino-Russian ties even as Russia struggles with EU and US sanctions over Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Gao said that both countries are likely to benefit from the fifth China-Russia Expo in July and the China International Import Expo in November.
India pushes for BRICS rating agency (Индия продвигает идею рейтингового агентства БРИКС) / India, April, 2018
Keywords: rating, economic_challenges, Business_Council
2018-04-20
2018-04-20
India
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
NEW DELHI: India has urged the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries to set up an independent rating agency of the group, according to an Indian official.
The renewed call for setting up a BRICS Rating Agency was given by Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg at the first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington on Thursday on the sidelines of the IMFand World Bank Spring Meetings, a Finance Ministry statement said.
"He (Garg) requested the Presidency to receive and take forward the report to be submitted by the expert group set up under the aegis of the BRICS Business Council to study the feasibility of the BRICS Rating Agency," the statement said.
At the BRICS Summit in Xiamen in China held in September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly pitched for the setting up of a rating agency to counter the western "big three" institutions - S&P, Moody's and Fitch - and cater to the financial needs of developing nations.
According to the Ministry, the other issues discussed during the meeting related to enhancing the project pipelines of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) evenly across member countries and expansion of the NDB's membership.
It also discussed the South African Presidency's proposal for setting up a working group on illicit financial flows and a BRICS Task Force on public-private partnership.
Issues related to the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) as well as the BRICS Bond Fund were also discussed, the statement said.
Garg emphasised in his interventions that India had been a constructive participant in the discussions on NDB's membership expansion, it said.
"He expressed that a more careful and cautious approach on the value and additional benefits new members will bring to the Bank would be desirable rather than setting deadlines which are practically difficult to achieve," it added.
On the issue of expanding the NDB's project pipeline across member nations evenly, Garg said the objective had to be balanced with the member country's requirement of infrastructure financing.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
NEW DELHI: India has urged the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries to set up an independent rating agency of the group, according to an Indian official.
The renewed call for setting up a BRICS Rating Agency was given by Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg at the first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington on Thursday on the sidelines of the IMFand World Bank Spring Meetings, a Finance Ministry statement said.
"He (Garg) requested the Presidency to receive and take forward the report to be submitted by the expert group set up under the aegis of the BRICS Business Council to study the feasibility of the BRICS Rating Agency," the statement said.
At the BRICS Summit in Xiamen in China held in September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly pitched for the setting up of a rating agency to counter the western "big three" institutions - S&P, Moody's and Fitch - and cater to the financial needs of developing nations.
According to the Ministry, the other issues discussed during the meeting related to enhancing the project pipelines of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) evenly across member countries and expansion of the NDB's membership.
It also discussed the South African Presidency's proposal for setting up a working group on illicit financial flows and a BRICS Task Force on public-private partnership.
Issues related to the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) as well as the BRICS Bond Fund were also discussed, the statement said.
Garg emphasised in his interventions that India had been a constructive participant in the discussions on NDB's membership expansion, it said.
"He expressed that a more careful and cautious approach on the value and additional benefits new members will bring to the Bank would be desirable rather than setting deadlines which are practically difficult to achieve," it added.
On the issue of expanding the NDB's project pipeline across member nations evenly, Garg said the objective had to be balanced with the member country's requirement of infrastructure financing.
Jim O'Neill: Revisiting the next Bric economies (Джим О'Нил: возвращаясь к рассмотрению следующих стран БРИКС) / United Kingdom, April, 2018
Keywords: expert_opinion, economic_challenges, brics+, rating, Jim_ONeill
2018-04-20
2018-04-20
United Kingdom
Author: Jim O'Neill
Source: www.fnlondon.com
It is becoming increasingly clear that global growth will be based not just on individual powerhouse countries, but on groups of countries gaining in prosperity
On a recent holiday in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, I couldn't resist thinking about these countries' economic potential and ongoing policy challenges.
After all, in 2005, my Goldman Sachs colleagues and I had listed Vietnam as one of the Next Eleven (N-11) – all countries with the potential to become important economies during this century.
Vietnam reported that its real (inflation-adjusted) GDP growth was 7.4% in the latest quarter, outpacing China. And, according to the World Bank's forecast, Vietnam, along with Cambodia and Laos, is on track to maintain a similar level of growth for the year.
The N-11 never acquired the cachet of the Bric acronym, which I coined in 2001 to describe a bloc of emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) that stood to have a significant impact on the world economy in the future. The N-11 countries weren't at the level of the Brics, but nor was either acronym intended to be an investment theme. Rather, N-11 was simply a label we applied to the next 11 most populous, highest-potential emerging economies after the Brics.
Around the time that we published the 2005 paper "How Solid are the Brics?", in which we first identified the N-11, I often joked that we chose 11 simply because it was the number of players on a soccer team. When others would point out that we had excluded more populous countries such as Congo and Ethiopia, I would muse that Ethiopia could be the N-11's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in reference to Manchester United's brilliant sub-in scorer during the 1990s.
Then as now, the N-11 comprised a mixed bag: South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. These countries have extremely diverse economic and social conditions, and very different levels of wealth. For example, South Koreans now enjoy a standard of living similar to that in the European Union, which makes many analysts' persistent categorization of South Korea as an "emerging economy" all the more baffling.
Author: Jim O'Neill
Source: www.fnlondon.com
It is becoming increasingly clear that global growth will be based not just on individual powerhouse countries, but on groups of countries gaining in prosperity
On a recent holiday in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, I couldn't resist thinking about these countries' economic potential and ongoing policy challenges.
After all, in 2005, my Goldman Sachs colleagues and I had listed Vietnam as one of the Next Eleven (N-11) – all countries with the potential to become important economies during this century.
Vietnam reported that its real (inflation-adjusted) GDP growth was 7.4% in the latest quarter, outpacing China. And, according to the World Bank's forecast, Vietnam, along with Cambodia and Laos, is on track to maintain a similar level of growth for the year.
The N-11 never acquired the cachet of the Bric acronym, which I coined in 2001 to describe a bloc of emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) that stood to have a significant impact on the world economy in the future. The N-11 countries weren't at the level of the Brics, but nor was either acronym intended to be an investment theme. Rather, N-11 was simply a label we applied to the next 11 most populous, highest-potential emerging economies after the Brics.
Around the time that we published the 2005 paper "How Solid are the Brics?", in which we first identified the N-11, I often joked that we chose 11 simply because it was the number of players on a soccer team. When others would point out that we had excluded more populous countries such as Congo and Ethiopia, I would muse that Ethiopia could be the N-11's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in reference to Manchester United's brilliant sub-in scorer during the 1990s.
Then as now, the N-11 comprised a mixed bag: South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. These countries have extremely diverse economic and social conditions, and very different levels of wealth. For example, South Koreans now enjoy a standard of living similar to that in the European Union, which makes many analysts' persistent categorization of South Korea as an "emerging economy" all the more baffling.
The BRICS and Collective Financial Statecraft (БРИКС и коллективное финансовое государственное управление) / United States, April, 2018
Keywords: global_governance, economic_challenges, research
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
United States
Author: Cynthia Roberts, Leslie Armijo, and Saori Katada
Source: www.foreignaffairs.com
Over a decade ago, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa began working together to strengthen their roles in global governance. This well-researched and insightful book represents the best effort yet to assess the impact of the BRICS, as the group of countries is known. For those who saw the BRICS as a new bloc that would take on the Western liberal order, the results have been disappointing. Several of the countries have fallen on hard economic times, and their interests have often failed to align. But the authors argue that, despite these problems, the grouping is not just an exercise in symbolism. Through trial and error, the BRICS have found a way to cooperate in what the book calls "financial statecraft" to achieve larger foreign policy goals. They have built new institutions, such as the New Development Bank and the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and they have successfully pushed for reforms to the old Bretton Woods system and amplified their own voices within it. What unites these countries, the authors conclude, is less a common vision of a new world order than a "common aversion" to Western hegemony.
Author: Cynthia Roberts, Leslie Armijo, and Saori Katada
Source: www.foreignaffairs.com
Over a decade ago, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa began working together to strengthen their roles in global governance. This well-researched and insightful book represents the best effort yet to assess the impact of the BRICS, as the group of countries is known. For those who saw the BRICS as a new bloc that would take on the Western liberal order, the results have been disappointing. Several of the countries have fallen on hard economic times, and their interests have often failed to align. But the authors argue that, despite these problems, the grouping is not just an exercise in symbolism. Through trial and error, the BRICS have found a way to cooperate in what the book calls "financial statecraft" to achieve larger foreign policy goals. They have built new institutions, such as the New Development Bank and the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and they have successfully pushed for reforms to the old Bretton Woods system and amplified their own voices within it. What unites these countries, the authors conclude, is less a common vision of a new world order than a "common aversion" to Western hegemony.
BRICS members work towards better trade by 2021 (Члены БРИКС стремятся к более эффективной торговле к 2021 году) / South Africa, April, 2018
Keywords: trade_relations, concluded_agreements, SARS
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
South Africa
Source: www.engineeringnews.co.za
The BRICS member countries are working towards strengthening co-operation and mutual assistance to facilitate trade with one another, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on Thursday.
The delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa met in the coastal city of Durban for the 10th annual customs experts technical working group hosted by Sars.
The revenue service said the meeting focused on finalising the BRICS Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement by 2021, to enable the smooth movement of goods between member countries and boost economic co-operation.
It also deliberated on the value of an integrated risk management system not only for customs but for tax administration purposes, which is likely to form part of the agenda in the upcoming BRICS tax meetings in Johannesburg in June.
The BRICS countries have implemented various models of authorised economic operator (AEO) programmes, which give preferential treatment to certain traders, importer and exporters.
Source: www.engineeringnews.co.za
The BRICS member countries are working towards strengthening co-operation and mutual assistance to facilitate trade with one another, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on Thursday.
The delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa met in the coastal city of Durban for the 10th annual customs experts technical working group hosted by Sars.
The revenue service said the meeting focused on finalising the BRICS Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement by 2021, to enable the smooth movement of goods between member countries and boost economic co-operation.
It also deliberated on the value of an integrated risk management system not only for customs but for tax administration purposes, which is likely to form part of the agenda in the upcoming BRICS tax meetings in Johannesburg in June.
The BRICS countries have implemented various models of authorised economic operator (AEO) programmes, which give preferential treatment to certain traders, importer and exporters.
World of work
Social policy, trade unions, actions
Public lecture on BRICS at the University of Limpopo (Публичная лекция о БРИКС в Университете Лимпопо) / South Africa, April, 2018
Keywords: social_issues, global_governance
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
South Africa
Source: www.dirco.gov.za
Public lecture on BRICS at the University of Limpopo
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has partnered with the University of Limpopo for a public lecture on South Africa's hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit.
Taking place under the theme: "BRICS in Africa: Collaboration, Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution", the lecture is scheduled for Monday, 23 April 2018, and will be presented by Prof Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General for Asia and Middle East at DIRCO and BRICS Sherpa.
Prof. Sooklal will be joined by Mr Kenneth da Nobrega, Sous Sherpa for the Republic of Brazil and Mr Pavel Knyazev, Sous Sherpa for the Russian Federation. The public lecture takes place on the eve of the meeting of the BRICS Sherpas, planned for 24-26 April 2018 at the Mabula Lodge in Bela Bela, Limpopo.
The media are invited as follows:
Date: Monday, 23 April 2018
Venue: Onkgopotse Tiro Hall, University of Limpopo, Turfloop
Time: 10h00 – 12h00 (media to arrive at 9h30)
RSVP: RachidiS@dirco.gov.za; Mosela.Selepe@ul.ac.za / Reuben.Maake@ul.ac.za
Enquiries: Ndivhuwo Mabaya: 083 645 7838
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
Source: www.dirco.gov.za
Public lecture on BRICS at the University of Limpopo
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has partnered with the University of Limpopo for a public lecture on South Africa's hosting of the 10th BRICS Summit.
Taking place under the theme: "BRICS in Africa: Collaboration, Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution", the lecture is scheduled for Monday, 23 April 2018, and will be presented by Prof Anil Sooklal, Deputy Director-General for Asia and Middle East at DIRCO and BRICS Sherpa.
Prof. Sooklal will be joined by Mr Kenneth da Nobrega, Sous Sherpa for the Republic of Brazil and Mr Pavel Knyazev, Sous Sherpa for the Russian Federation. The public lecture takes place on the eve of the meeting of the BRICS Sherpas, planned for 24-26 April 2018 at the Mabula Lodge in Bela Bela, Limpopo.
The media are invited as follows:
Date: Monday, 23 April 2018
Venue: Onkgopotse Tiro Hall, University of Limpopo, Turfloop
Time: 10h00 – 12h00 (media to arrive at 9h30)
RSVP: RachidiS@dirco.gov.za; Mosela.Selepe@ul.ac.za / Reuben.Maake@ul.ac.za
Enquiries: Ndivhuwo Mabaya: 083 645 7838
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
Goa at the Centre of Indo-Brazil Relations (Гоа в центре индо-бразильских отношений) / India, April, 2018
Keywords: expert_opinion, social_issues
2018-04-17
2018-04-17
India
Source: infobrics.org
An international seminar- India/ Goa- Brazil focused on Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Cultural aspects between the two countries. It was organized by the Lusophone Society of Goa in association with International Centre Goa (ICG).
Close on the heels of their recent initiative, the setting up of The Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa (Centro Cultural Brasileiro em Goa), the Lusophone Society of Goa (LSG) organised an international seminar that sought to go beyond just cultural exchanges.
The non-profit organisation, LSG aims to disseminate the Portuguese language and the Brazilian culture and strengthen the ties between Goa and Brazil in all aspects, including the social and economic ones.
They recently organised the India/Goa – Brasil, seminar that focused on 'Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Cultural Aspects. The seminar broadly discussed the relationship between India/Goa and Brazil and looked at the prospect of establishing possible common projects between Indian/Goan and Brazilian institutions/associations.
There were two types of presentations, one for locals, which were done in person, and one for Brazilians, which were done by screening of videos specially prepared by the authors for the seminar, held at ICG, Dona Paula. This was followed by an interaction with the public.
Former Union Minister Eduardo Faleiro said that Brazil and India share many similarities while inaugurating the seminar. "Both nations are developing countries and are among the 10 largest economies in the world, both have great ethnic and cultural diversity, "said Eduardo.
He further said that presently Brazilian stay in India and about 1000 Indians stay in Sao Paulo, Brazil. "Goa can share Brazil's interest football and exchange of football players between the two nations."
He further pointed out that the two countries share democratic values and are committed to foster economic growth with social justice. "Being a member of BRICS, India along with Brazil China and South Africa has initiated the New Development Bank with the present capital of 10 Billion USD by each member of the BRICS. This capital will be increased to US 100 billion dollars in the near future," added Eduardo.
On that note, he observed that there has been a significant increase in trade and economic relations between the two countries and added that there should be a cultural exchange and student exchange programmes of writers, filmmakers and artistes etc. Eduardo also emphasised the need for the setting up of the Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa.
Earlier, Dr Aurobindo Xavier, president of LSG and the head of the Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa made the introductory remarks while the ICG president Yatin Kakodar, welcomed the guests. The two day seminar had lectures and interactions on various topics of interest concerning India and Brazil with special context to Goa being a former Portuguese colony like Brazil before its independence.
Source: infobrics.org
An international seminar- India/ Goa- Brazil focused on Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Cultural aspects between the two countries. It was organized by the Lusophone Society of Goa in association with International Centre Goa (ICG).
Close on the heels of their recent initiative, the setting up of The Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa (Centro Cultural Brasileiro em Goa), the Lusophone Society of Goa (LSG) organised an international seminar that sought to go beyond just cultural exchanges.
The non-profit organisation, LSG aims to disseminate the Portuguese language and the Brazilian culture and strengthen the ties between Goa and Brazil in all aspects, including the social and economic ones.
They recently organised the India/Goa – Brasil, seminar that focused on 'Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Cultural Aspects. The seminar broadly discussed the relationship between India/Goa and Brazil and looked at the prospect of establishing possible common projects between Indian/Goan and Brazilian institutions/associations.
There were two types of presentations, one for locals, which were done in person, and one for Brazilians, which were done by screening of videos specially prepared by the authors for the seminar, held at ICG, Dona Paula. This was followed by an interaction with the public.
Former Union Minister Eduardo Faleiro said that Brazil and India share many similarities while inaugurating the seminar. "Both nations are developing countries and are among the 10 largest economies in the world, both have great ethnic and cultural diversity, "said Eduardo.
He further said that presently Brazilian stay in India and about 1000 Indians stay in Sao Paulo, Brazil. "Goa can share Brazil's interest football and exchange of football players between the two nations."
He further pointed out that the two countries share democratic values and are committed to foster economic growth with social justice. "Being a member of BRICS, India along with Brazil China and South Africa has initiated the New Development Bank with the present capital of 10 Billion USD by each member of the BRICS. This capital will be increased to US 100 billion dollars in the near future," added Eduardo.
On that note, he observed that there has been a significant increase in trade and economic relations between the two countries and added that there should be a cultural exchange and student exchange programmes of writers, filmmakers and artistes etc. Eduardo also emphasised the need for the setting up of the Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa.
Earlier, Dr Aurobindo Xavier, president of LSG and the head of the Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa made the introductory remarks while the ICG president Yatin Kakodar, welcomed the guests. The two day seminar had lectures and interactions on various topics of interest concerning India and Brazil with special context to Goa being a former Portuguese colony like Brazil before its independence.
BRICS members to strengthen customs co-operation (Члены БРИКС укрепят таможенное сотрудничество) / South Africa, April, 2018
Keywords: concluded_agreements, SARS
2018-04-19
2018-04-19
South Africa
Source: www.sars.gov.za
Durban, 19 April 2018 – Delegates from BRICS member countries (that is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have agreed to strengthen co-operation and mutual assistance to facilitate trade between member countries and other developing countries.
The BRICS Customs administrations gathered in Durban for the 10th Annual BRICS Customs Experts Technical Working Group hosted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) this week.
One of the main focus areas of the high-level meeting was the establishment of an enabling legal framework for BRICS Customs cooperation.
The BRICS countries have implemented various models of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, which give preferential treatment to certain traders, importers and exporters.
While AEO programmes have demonstrated their effectiveness in strengthening supply chain management and economic competitiveness, the BRICS members are at different stages of development.
The meeting agreed that it would be more beneficial at this stage to share information and identify priorities with the aim of working towards bi-lateral agreements.
It was further agreed that certain areas of the Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAAA) should be improved before adaptation.
It is expected that clarification of the agreement would, apart from the traditional areas of information exchange and investigative assistance, include detailed provisions on cooperation in human resource development, data exchange and addressing of trade grievances.
The meeting emphasised the need to finalise the BRICS Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAAA) by 2021. This would enable the seamless movement of goods among member countries and bring the reality of economic cooperation even closer.
The meeting also deliberated on the value of an integrated risk management system as a key area in terms of risk identification, not only for Customs but also for tax administration purposes. This will likely form part of the agenda in the upcoming BRICS Tax meetings in June this year, to be hosted by SARS in Johannesburg.
These annual gatherings have been beneficial for BRICS bloc which has seen enhanced collaboration over the last decade.
Source: www.sars.gov.za
Durban, 19 April 2018 – Delegates from BRICS member countries (that is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have agreed to strengthen co-operation and mutual assistance to facilitate trade between member countries and other developing countries.
The BRICS Customs administrations gathered in Durban for the 10th Annual BRICS Customs Experts Technical Working Group hosted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) this week.
One of the main focus areas of the high-level meeting was the establishment of an enabling legal framework for BRICS Customs cooperation.
The BRICS countries have implemented various models of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, which give preferential treatment to certain traders, importers and exporters.
While AEO programmes have demonstrated their effectiveness in strengthening supply chain management and economic competitiveness, the BRICS members are at different stages of development.
The meeting agreed that it would be more beneficial at this stage to share information and identify priorities with the aim of working towards bi-lateral agreements.
It was further agreed that certain areas of the Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAAA) should be improved before adaptation.
It is expected that clarification of the agreement would, apart from the traditional areas of information exchange and investigative assistance, include detailed provisions on cooperation in human resource development, data exchange and addressing of trade grievances.
The meeting emphasised the need to finalise the BRICS Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAAA) by 2021. This would enable the seamless movement of goods among member countries and bring the reality of economic cooperation even closer.
The meeting also deliberated on the value of an integrated risk management system as a key area in terms of risk identification, not only for Customs but also for tax administration purposes. This will likely form part of the agenda in the upcoming BRICS Tax meetings in June this year, to be hosted by SARS in Johannesburg.
These annual gatherings have been beneficial for BRICS bloc which has seen enhanced collaboration over the last decade.
Shanghai Summer School - BRICS Program (Shanghai) (Шанхайская летняя школа - программа БРИКС (Шанхай)) / China, April, 2018
Keywords: social_issues
2018-04-16
2018-04-16
China
Source: www.nkibrics.ru
Application Procedures of 2018 Shanghai Summer School (BRICS Program)
Shanghai Summer School (BRICS Program) is a short-term educational program that provides an opportunity for the undergraduates, postgraduates and junior researchers from BRICS countries to live and study in Shanghai, China for one month (from July 12 to August 7). There are two main courses the students would take: "Global Governance and Cooperation among BRICS" and "China's Politics and Diplomacy". The total number of enrollment of the Program is 50, 20 of which enjoy scholarship and 30 are self-financing (non-scholarship).
An applicant for either scholarship or non-scholarship must send his/her materials of application to the Center for BRICS Studies at Fudan University (E-mail: bricssummer@126.com) as he/she starts to apply. The deadline for handing in application materials is May 3. The list of application materials is shown below:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2. A transcript of the program he/she is enrolled in; a junior researcher could send us his/her certificates of honor;
3. A statement of purpose;
4. A completed application form (a blank form and a demonstration are attached in this letter);
5. At least one letter of recommendation given by a professor or an associate professor. (Scholarship applicants are required to send this. However, it is optional for non-scholarship applicants.)
The admission name list for the scholarship students will be published on May 11, and the admission name list for the self-financing students will be published on May 17, through official websites of the Center for BRICS Studies and BRICS Information Sharing and Exchanging Platform (http://www.brics-info.org/ ). You may find detailed information about the Program in the introductory brochure of 2018 Shanghai Summer School BRICS Program.
Source: www.nkibrics.ru
Application Procedures of 2018 Shanghai Summer School (BRICS Program)
Shanghai Summer School (BRICS Program) is a short-term educational program that provides an opportunity for the undergraduates, postgraduates and junior researchers from BRICS countries to live and study in Shanghai, China for one month (from July 12 to August 7). There are two main courses the students would take: "Global Governance and Cooperation among BRICS" and "China's Politics and Diplomacy". The total number of enrollment of the Program is 50, 20 of which enjoy scholarship and 30 are self-financing (non-scholarship).
An applicant for either scholarship or non-scholarship must send his/her materials of application to the Center for BRICS Studies at Fudan University (E-mail: bricssummer@126.com) as he/she starts to apply. The deadline for handing in application materials is May 3. The list of application materials is shown below:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2. A transcript of the program he/she is enrolled in; a junior researcher could send us his/her certificates of honor;
3. A statement of purpose;
4. A completed application form (a blank form and a demonstration are attached in this letter);
5. At least one letter of recommendation given by a professor or an associate professor. (Scholarship applicants are required to send this. However, it is optional for non-scholarship applicants.)
The admission name list for the scholarship students will be published on May 11, and the admission name list for the self-financing students will be published on May 17, through official websites of the Center for BRICS Studies and BRICS Information Sharing and Exchanging Platform (http://www.brics-info.org/ ). You may find detailed information about the Program in the introductory brochure of 2018 Shanghai Summer School BRICS Program.
BRICS and EEU countries need single legal platform - experts (БРИКС и страны ЕЭС нуждаются в единой правовой платформе - эксперты) / Russia, April, 2018
Keywords: expert_opinion, digital, social_issues
2018-04-16
2018-04-16
Russia
Source: www.rapsinews.com
MOSCOW, April 16 (RAPSI) – Experts have concurred that BRICS countries and member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) must adjust their intellectual property (IP) protection laws to a unified legal system for the productive use of new digital technologies, RAPSI reports from the Digital Transformation Conference held in Moscow.
On Monday, experts from Russia, Brazil and China discussed the future of IP use during the current digital revolution which is "comparable in its precipitance and fatefulness only with electricity appearance in the human life."
According to the President of Russia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergey Katyrin, economic partners would not reach real growth in this economic sector without regulation and forming-up of uniform rules for using and protecting intellectual property. In his speech Katyrin pointed to the importance of harmonization of BRICS countries' legislation because a rise in this economic realm is possible only in cooperation.
Chairman of the Presidential Council for Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov in turn said that "the Internet is transboundary, and digital economy implementation is impossible in one country, for that reason transboundary problems require transboundary regulation." Moreover, Russia's actions in cyberspace control do not still cater to the present-day needs, according to Fedotov.
However, some experts believe that an evolutionary approach must be prevalent during law change because a revolutionary approach may upset the existing system, which adequately protects IP.
Furthermore, the aspect of implementing an integrated digital system with the EEU countries is already being worked out extensively, according to the First Deputy Chief of the Russian Government Staff Maxim Akimov.
Source: www.rapsinews.com
MOSCOW, April 16 (RAPSI) – Experts have concurred that BRICS countries and member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) must adjust their intellectual property (IP) protection laws to a unified legal system for the productive use of new digital technologies, RAPSI reports from the Digital Transformation Conference held in Moscow.
On Monday, experts from Russia, Brazil and China discussed the future of IP use during the current digital revolution which is "comparable in its precipitance and fatefulness only with electricity appearance in the human life."
According to the President of Russia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergey Katyrin, economic partners would not reach real growth in this economic sector without regulation and forming-up of uniform rules for using and protecting intellectual property. In his speech Katyrin pointed to the importance of harmonization of BRICS countries' legislation because a rise in this economic realm is possible only in cooperation.
Chairman of the Presidential Council for Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov in turn said that "the Internet is transboundary, and digital economy implementation is impossible in one country, for that reason transboundary problems require transboundary regulation." Moreover, Russia's actions in cyberspace control do not still cater to the present-day needs, according to Fedotov.
However, some experts believe that an evolutionary approach must be prevalent during law change because a revolutionary approach may upset the existing system, which adequately protects IP.
Furthermore, the aspect of implementing an integrated digital system with the EEU countries is already being worked out extensively, according to the First Deputy Chief of the Russian Government Staff Maxim Akimov.
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