Cooperative leaders from BRICS countries assembled in Beijing last week to sign memorandum of understanding having far reaching consequence for member states. The member states are Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa.
This was the second meeting. The first meeting took place in Brasilia in Brazil in 2010.
Indian delegation comprised of representatives from NCUI, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NCCF and others.
Speaking on the occasion NCUI President and leader of Indian delegation said that I belonged to a nation which believes in “Vasudheva Kutumkam”. It is a Sanskrit phase more close to my heart and is the spirit behind the cooperative movement of my country. It means “the whole world is one single family”.
Five BRICS Nation account for over one-third of the world population and have important place in the world history and have made a considerable impact on the evolution of world culture with their thousand years of cultural heritage. Today BRICS countries are principal players in the global economic scenario, added Chandrapal.
The leaders decided to facilitate bilateral and multilateral cooperation among cooperatives and cooperative enterprises in BRICS countries. They also vowed to renew the existing understanding and partnership between Cooperative Movement in BRICS countries.
BRICS countries have reached consensus on following items:
Recognize concrete business collaboration as the priority and key objective of cooperation between cooperatives;
Agree to identify each other as well as other cooperative enterprises in BRICS Countries as preferred business partners in international trade and investment, on the basis of trust, mutual benefits and sustainable partnership.
Support and encourage more frequent communications and joint meetings among BRICS Cooperatives.
Encourage mutual visits of senior officials and business delegation, develop regular exchanges in intelligence, technology and economic policy, and promote cooperation in economic development.
Facilitate trade and investment cooperation between cooperatives and cooperative enterprises in BRICS Countries through exhibitions, trade fair and delegation visits etc. Coordinate with relevant authorities in our own countries to facilitate trade and investment cooperation among cooperative enterprises in BRICS countries
Share and disseminate information on the latest trade and economic policies of BRICS countries to interested cooperative and enterprise managers through seminars and training courses.
Support UN and ICA in celebrating the International year of Cooperative 2012 , and take concrete measures to encourage participation of youths and young cooperators.
All parties to designate specific staffs for implementing items of this MOU.
Five signatories to this MOU were Chandra Pal Singh Yadav from India, Daniel Fontes Dias, Executive Director, Cooperative Organization of Brazil, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Chairman of the Council, Central Union of Consumer Societies of Russia, Li Chengu, President , All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and Sipho R. Zikode, Deputy Director General, South Africa.