Experts hotly discuss BRICS bank, summit in Africa

The fifth BRICS summit to be held in S. Africa's Durban from March 26 to 27 has aroused heated discussion among experts from Russia and India on Monday, as it is the first BRICS summit held in Africa with the innovative proposal to set up a development bank for BRICS nations.

Experts are full of hope for the BRICS summit in Africa.

This is the very first time in BRICS’ history that the topic has been so focused on a specific continent. The topic which is important for the academic forum held in Durban some days before the BRICS summit will be part of its agenda, said Viacheslav Nikonov, a Russian political scientist and member of State Duma.

Economic development, environmental issues as well as food issues that the African continent is facing today are expected to be discussed at the summit. There will also be a series of discussions about the issues of cooperation, relations between BRICS countries and Western countries, according to Viacheslav Nikonov.

“The focus of the Summit is naturally going to be on Africa,” affirmed Bhadrakumar, former Indian ambassador to Uzbekistan. “It is the part of the world where there is renewed attention both positive and negative. The development issues are going to be hotly debated. It is high time for BRICS to come to some concrete projects.”

We Recommend:
Core interests at heart of new US ties	Snapshots from ‘two sessions’	China-Africa cooperation mutually beneficial
Diaoyu Islands are root of tension	Beijing dismisses Japan's 'radar lock' media report	New leaders appointed to fill top positions