Chinese Society of St. Petersburg proposes establishment of BRICS Standing Committee
The session 'Opportunities for Business Associations in Strengthening BRICS Cooperation' was held as part of the International Municipal BRICS+ Forum countries.
BRICS cooperation is important in today's world. However, in addition to the formal interaction between the leaders of the countries, cooperation between representatives of the SME sector also plays an important role and as a result business associations are entering the international arena.
Speakers discussed how the SME associations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa can work together and what benefits this cooperation brings to entrepreneurs.
The participants put forward their proposals on how to improve the BRICS cooperation mechanism and expressed their views on the future prospects for the development of SME associations in the BRICS countries.
Basudev Mukharji, Representative of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, said that the BRICS countries play a critical role in defining global economic policy and in education, noting that they are the voice of developing countries.According to Chen Zhigan, Chairman of the Chinese Society of St. Petersburg, it is important for the alliance countries to create their own financial institutions. "It is necessary to create a BRICS Standing Committee in 10 years. Within BRICS, it is necessary to develop a financial system of work, a banking system, a single settlement system, and a currency," he said.
George Sebulela, President of the South African United Confederation of Business quoted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as saying: "The BRICS countries are major trading partners of South Africa. Above all, we must support medium and small enterprises within our countries and set up working groups on logistics".
Gilberto Ramos, President of the Brazilian-Russian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (Brazil), stressed that agreements between partner cities are very important. "For example, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo maintain relations with cities such as Moscow, St Petersburg, Beijing, Shanghai, New Delhi and Cape Town. Here we can talk about priority projects that will work between the partner cities and include such topics as culture, economy, trade, politics, health, education, sports and start-ups," he said.
The International Municipal Forum of BRICS+ countries will take place in St.Petersburg from November 24 to 26. This year 900 speakers from 64 countries are participating in it.
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