The BRICS Business Council was established during the 5th BRICS Summit held in 2013 in Durban in South Africa
On Wednesday, leaders of five BRICS nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa gather in Johannesburg for the BRICS Summit. Ahead of the Summit, South African Tourism hosted delegates at the welcome event of the 10th anniversary of the BRICS Business Council.
The BRICS Business Council was established during the 5th BRICS Summit held in 2013 in Durban in South Africa. The objective of creating the council was to constitute a platform that promotes and strengthens business, trade, and investment ties amongst the business communities of the five BRICS countries.
It was also formed to ensure that there is regular dialogue between the business communities of the BRICS nations and the governments of the BRICS countries. Thus, as the Summit returns to South Africa on the 10th anniversary of creation of the council, South African Tourism, along with the BRICS Business Council, is celebrating a decade of cooperation and partnership.
Nomasonto Ndlovu
“Over the years, we have seen growing enthusiasm for travel among the people of BRICS countries. We can all agree that tourism serves as a bridge that connects cultures and opens avenues of dialogue that transcend language barriers and political boundaries. Tourism is also a contributor to economic growth. Tourism is a force that unites people in their pursuit of discovery, adventure, and shared experiences. Therefore, tourism has a profound impact on strengthening bilateral relations,” Nomasonto Ndlovu, acting CEO of South African Tourism said at the anniversary celebrations.
Busi Mabuza
“South Africa was the birthplace of the BRICS Business Council and we brought together our respective business communities with the objective of creating a platform to strengthen business, trade, investment ties, travel and connections amongst business communities across the borders of our respective countries,” said Busi Mabuza, Chairperson of BRICS Business Council.
Tourism between BRICS nations has been rising rapidly in the post-pandemic era, according to South African Tourism which says that between January and June 2023, South Africa saw an increase in arrivals from Brazil, Russia, India and China by 60 pc, 146 pc, 82 pc, and 266 pc respectively, compared to 2022. India, with 41668 tourists in the first six months, was the largest BRICS source market for South African Tourism.
The organisation says that in highlighting South Africa’s essence through arts, culture, and storytelling, the guests had the pleasure of enjoying a performance by Lebo Mashile, an award-winning poet, author, presenter, actress, and producer. It adds that the globally-acclaimed Ndlovu Youth Choir delivered a captivating performance that brought South Africa’s spirit to the stage with a harmonious fusion of talent, culture, resonant voices and vibrant rhythms that echo the nation’s heartbeat.
“Hosting events such as the BRICS Summit showcases South Africa’s hosting capacity and capability and contributes to our tourism sector recovery. Through Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) events such as the BRICS Summit, we are enhancing collaboration, spurring economic growth, and deepening cross-cultural exchanges among our various nations. Of course, in the process, we stimulate innovation and drive progress that extends far beyond borders. I invite you to explore our many MICE facilities and venues not only here in Gauteng but the rest of South Africa too,” added Ndlovu.
South African Tourism also brought a sustainability village to the event. Designed to support and boost emerging local businesses, the sustainability village is a collection of vendors selling authentically and uniquely South African arts and crafts and fashion items. It offered the guests an opportunity to shop and buy items thus symbolically taking a piece of South Africa back home with them.
