The business programme for South Africa's presidency of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) will be outlined at this week's economic indaba. The indaba will be held in the form of a webinar on Thursday 30 March 2023. It will be hosted by the South Africa’s Chapter of the BRICS Business Council (SABBC) in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).

The purpose of the indaba is to outline the business roadmap for South Africa's presidency, which will culminate in the 15th BRICS Summit to be held in August 2023. The indaba will bring together key stakeholders, such as leading business associations, government and civil society.

The main areas of discussion will include:

- trade and investment opportunities with BRICS markets;

- keynote speeches to be presented at sector-based working groups;- events planned in preparation for the BRICS Summit in August.

The main objective of the BRICS business programme is derived from the BRICS Economic Cooperation Strategy in trade and investment promotion.

During the presidency South Africa intends to promote export and investment interests through activities aimed at promoting trade among BRICS members and showcasing South Africa's capabilities and available investment opportunities.

The South African Presidency is expected to promote economic growth, create jobs, increase the level of investment in the economy, improve the industrialisation of the economy and increase the share of global exports of manufacturing products.

From 1 January, 2023 the Republic of South Africa took over the presidency of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), having accepted it from China. The presidency will last until the end of the year.

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