On March 27, 2013, a breakfast meeting between political and business leaders of BRICS countries was held in Durban, South Africa.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Jacob Zuma, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the meeting.
Business representatives made their speeches first, recommending that BRICS countries strengthen their cooperation in infrastructure, mining, agriculture, finance and energy, complement each other to improve their respective competitiveness, jointly liberalize and facilitate trade and investment, guard against risks, push for a fair and equitable international business environment, and seek independent and common development through mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. They also called for the governments of BRICS countries to provide more support in terms of business policies and finance.
Then, each political leader made their address.
In his speech, President Xi Jinping said that emerging economies and developing countries have become the highlight and an indispensible part of global economic growth. Facing new historical opportunities in their cooperation, business sectors in BRICS countries should take full advantage of the opportunities, link their own development with the overall development of BRICS countries, strengthen cooperation with their governments, and together promote economic growth in BRICS countries.
Xi hoped that the business sectors should be aware of the great potential and wonderful opportunities released by BRICS countries’ drive for industrialization, urbanization, informatization, and agricultural modernization, have confidence in the prospect for cooperation, do a good job in planning and lay a solid foundation, push for cooperation in infrastructure construction, development of new industries and local currency settlement, and contribute to the implementation of their country’s development strategy as well as cooperation among BRICS countries.
Xi said China will adhere to the basic state policy of reform and opening up and follow an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win results. The Chinese government encourages and supports Chinese enterprises in investing in other BRICS countries; it also welcomes enterprises from other BRICS countries to invest and start businesses in China.
As part of the meeting, Zuma officially declared the establishment of a BRICS Business Council.
Other BRICS national leaders all agreed that, whether in handling the impact of the international financial crisis or in maintaining stable long-term economic growth, BRICS countries should encourage cooperation between their business sectors. In supporting the establishment of the BRICS Business Council, BRICS countries hoped that the Council and the BRICS Development Bank which was to be established soon would become important channels for strengthen dialogues with and providing support for the business sectors.
Wang Huning and Yang Jiechi participated in the above activities.