SINGAPORE: Four Southeast Asian countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand – have become companion states of BRICS, a group of emerging markets that is seen as a counterbalance to the West.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday ( Oct 24 ), the @BRICSInfo account said 13 nations have been added to the alliance as partner countries. The various nine countries are Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Turkey, Uganda and Uzbekistan.  ,
They are not entire members of the group, which was established in 2006 and first comprised Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined in 2010, while Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) became BRICS members this year.  ,
More than US$ 28. 5 trillion, or roughly 28 % of the world market, are made up of the member economies. Kazan, Russia, will host the annual BRICS mountain on October 22 through October 24.
Mohamad Hasan, the country’s foreign secretary, stated that the group’s 3.3.2 billion people make for better business opportunities.  ,
Malaysia is also committed to advancing the global south’s agenda by boosting collaboration, particularly during its upcoming year as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN), he said in a written parliamentary response on Thursday ( October 24 ).
According to the media outlet Malay Mail, Malaysia’s desire to join the BRICS is a result of its efforts to maintain its position as an impartial and natural nation, strike a balance between great power and create new business and investment opportunities, he said.  ,
At the summit on Thursday ( October 24 ), Malaysia’s Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli is scheduled to deliver the country’s national statement.  ,
Malaysia may strengthen its commitment to develop relations with the BRICS nations and face the difficult global economic landscape with entire resilience, he said in an Instagram post on October 22.
Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, had confirmed on July 28 that the country had applied to add the BRICS.
At the conference, Indonesia’s newly appointed foreign secretary Sugiono is expected to call for peace and mutual support among developing nations.  ,
Indonesia will play a significant role in creating a more inclusive, just, and equal world order in BRICS Plus, according to the Indonesian foreign ministry in a statement released on Tuesday ( October 22 ).