President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in New Delhi, India, where he will participate in the 18th BRICS Summit and seek to deepen trade, investment and economic cooperation between South Africa and fellow BRICS members.
The summit takes place from 12 to 13 September at Bharat Mandapam under India’s chairship, with the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security”.
Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver remarks at the BRICS Business Forum on Friday, where he is expected to focus on trade and supply chains, agriculture, women-led development, the digital economy and innovation.
The forum brings together BRICS leaders, business representatives, investors and entrepreneurs, with the aim of strengthening business-to-business cooperation and shaping the bloc’s economic agenda.
Focus on bilateral trade and investment
On Saturday, Ramaphosa will address the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable, which will focus on expanding bilateral trade and investment.
South Africa will seek to attract additional Indian foreign direct investment into strategic sectors, including pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, critical minerals and the electric-vehicle battery value chain.
The President will also participate in a closed session of BRICS leaders focusing on “Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening Multilateralism”.
Discussions are expected to include reforms to the United Nations system, the international financial architecture and the multilateral trading system.
On Sunday, Ramaphosa will address the open session for BRICS and invited leaders under the theme, “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”.
South Africa’s BRICS priorities
South Africa plans to use the summit to advance its diplomatic and economic priorities, including expanding intra-BRICS trade and investment while promoting industrialisation and greater value addition.
The country will also seek to mobilise investment in African infrastructure in support of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ramaphosa is expected to hold bilateral meetings with heads of state and government, as well as engage with business leaders and captains of industry.
He will also join fellow BRICS leaders in visiting the Bharat Innovates & BRICS @20 Exhibition, which will showcase innovation, technology and achievements resulting from BRICS cooperation.
The programme will also include a joint tree-planting ceremony.
Ramaphosa is accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Deputy Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Zuko Godlimpi.
The BRICS Business Forum is scheduled for Friday afternoon, followed by the India-South Africa Business Leadership Roundtable on Saturday and the summit’s open session on Sunday.
The visit comes as South Africa seeks to leverage its BRICS membership to expand economic partnerships, attract investment and strengthen its position in emerging global markets.
