Brics leaders tout joint finance, trade projects at Russian summit
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Russia's President Vladimir Putin says he believes Brics economic growth will surpass global growth in 2024/25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KAZAN, Russia – Leaders of the nations in the Brics grouping, which accounts for 37 per cent of global economic output, predicted its influence would grow as they met in Russia on Oct 22, outlining common projects ranging from a grain exchange to a cross-border payments system.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who has sought support from Brics leaders amid his stand-off with the West over the war in Ukraine, said Brics’ average economic growth in 2024/25 would be 3.8 per cent, compared with global growth of 3.2 to 3.3 per cent.
“The trend for the Brics’ leading role in the global economy will only strengthen,” Mr Putin said, citing population growth, urbanisation, capital accumulation and productivity growth as key factors.
Russia, the world’s biggest wheat exporter, proposed the creation of a Brics grain exchange that could later be expanded to trade other major commodities such as oil, gas and metals.
“Brics countries are among the world’s largest producers of grains, legumes and oil seeds. In this regard, we proposed opening a Brics grain exchange,” Mr Putin said.
He added that the exchange “will contribute to the formation of fair and predictable price indicators for products and raw materials, considering its special role in ensuring food security”.
“The implementation of this initiative will help protect national markets from negative external interference, speculation and attempts to create an artificial food shortage,” he said.
Bypassing the mighty US dollar
Other leaders backed the creation of a common cross-border payments system, which would help Brics countries trade with each other, bypassing the US dollar-dominated global financial system.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who took part in the Brics summit via video conference after a head injury over the weekend, said it is time for the Brics nations to create alternative payment methods.
He added that the group’s New Development Bank was designed as an alternative to what he called failing Bretton Woods institutions such as the International Monetary Fund.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he welcomed the steps for financial integration of Brics countries, while China’s President Xi Jinping urged Brics countries to deepen financial and economic cooperation.
In his speech, Mr Putin also called for the creation of a Brics investment platform, which will facilitate mutual investment between Brics countries and could also be used for investment in other countries in the Global South. REUTERS
