KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is getting ready to hitch the BRICS group of rising economies, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated in an interview with Chinese language media outlet Guancha.
The BRICS group of countries initially included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which gave it the acronym.
The group final yr started to broaden its membership because it appears to problem a world order dominated by Western economies, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates becoming a member of and greater than 40 nations expressing curiosity.
“Now we have decided, we might be inserting the formal procedures quickly … we’re simply ready for the ultimate outcomes from the federal government in South Africa,” Mr Anwar stated, in accordance with a video of the interview posted by Guancha on Sunday (Jun 16).
A consultant from Mr Anwar’s workplace on Tuesday confirmed his feedback to Reuters.
Throughout the interview, he didn’t present additional particulars on the appliance course of.
Mr Anwar’s feedback got here forward of a three-day go to by Chinese language Premier Li Qiang this week, as a part of celebrations marking the fiftieth yr of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
Malaysia and China are anticipated to signal a number of offers throughout Mr Li’s go to, together with renewing a five-year commerce and financial cooperation settlement.
In the meantime, amongst Southeast Asian nations, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia have beforehand expressed curiosity in becoming a member of the commerce alliance whereas Vietnam had stated they have been “intently monitoring the method of BRICS membership growth”.
After taking part in a BRICS summit in August final yr, Indonesian President Joko Widodo made it clear that his administration was “reviewing and contemplating the nation’s risk of becoming a member of” the group, in accordance with a authorities assertion.
And earlier in January, Antara information company reported that Indonesia’s Overseas Minister Retno Marsudi stated that her nation continues to review the potential of becoming a member of the commerce alliance and is weighing the advantages that it’ll derive from the membership, including that they won’t rush the method.
“Our international coverage is all the time fastidiously thought-about. No selections are simply made (with out cautious consideration). Subsequently, for now, Indonesia remains to be learning the advantages that may be gained from becoming a member of BRICS,” she reportedly stated.
In the meantime, the Thai Cupboard final month authorised a authorities draft letter that indicated Bangkok’s intention to turn into a member of BRICS, South China Morning Submit reported.
