The Star reported:
Brazil opens BRICS summit in Rio, leaders of growing bloc, however, gather without Xi or Putin
ASEANPLUS NEWS
The Star, Sunday, 06 Jul 2025 9:57 PM MYT
RIO DE JANEIRO (dpa): Leaders of the BRICS group of major emerging economies are meeting in the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro on Sunday for a two-day summit.
The BRICS acronym is derived from the initial letters of the founding member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
In early 2024, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates joined the group, while Indonesia entered in January.
Chaired by Brazil, the summit plans to address health policy, artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change.
But for the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending in person for the first time, sending Prime Minister Li Qiang in his place.
Nor will Russian President Vladimir Putin be attending as he is wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in 2022.
Brazil, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, would be required to enforce the arrest warrant.
The BRICS countries say they represent around 48.5% of the world's population, 36% of global land area and 24% of global economic output.
The countries see themselves as a forum for cooperation between countries of the Global South.
The group aims to act as a counterweight to the Group of Seven (G7) of leading Western economic powers. - dpa
The reason Xi not attending explained here. Putin will be participating online.
Not symbolic talkshop
BRICS is evolving beyond mere talk shop with New Development Bank or BRICS Bank and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CA) attracting ASEAN countries:
Not only more countries are joining BRICS to the disgust of US, Vietnam ignored the US threat and persuasion to officially accept BRICS membership.
BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday are expected to decry US President Donald Trump's "indiscriminate" trade tariffs, saying they are illegal and risk hurting the global economy.
Emerging nations, which represent about half the world's population and 40 percent of global economic output, have united over "serious concerns" about US import tariffs, according to a draft summit statement obtained by AFP on Saturday.
Read on in The Star here.
Cooperation
Chinese Premier expressed the hope of Xi Jin Peng:
Urgent: Chinese premier calls on BRICS to spearhead development cooperation
By Jiang Li, Liu Chang and Cao Jiayue
WORLD
The Star Monday, 07 Jul 2025 5:07 AM MYT
RIO DE JANEIRO, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Sunday that BRICS countries should actively spearhead development cooperation and tap into the growth potential of emerging sectors.
Li made the remarks when addressing a plenary session of the 17th BRICS Summit, noting that China will establish a China-BRICS research center on new quality productive forces this year.
Generally, Malaysian businessmen remain sceptical of BRICS or comfortable with present international business arrangements. Anwar advised Malaysian businessmen to look at BRICS as a new frontier beyond the traditional markets:
BRICS a new frontier for Malaysian businesses, says Anwar
NATION
Sunday, 06 Jul 2025 10:16 AM MYT
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: Malaysian companies must be willing to explore new markets and trading opportunities overseas, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said they must not solely rely on traditional markets, but instead venture into new ones.
Anwar said platforms like the BRICS offer enormous opportunities and praised Malaysian companies Petronas and Yinson Production for their successful ventures in Brazil.
Anwar, who is here at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to attend the 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit, said Lula was surprised to see Malaysian companies doing business in the country.
"I mentioned Yinson and Petronas to him, and their role in Brazil. He was surprised and asked for more details," he said at a dinner hosted by Yinson Production here.
Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Yinson Holdings Bhd executive chairman Lim Han Weng.
Yinson, an independent owner and operator of floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, has three projects in Brazil since 2023, namely FPSO Anna Nery, FPSO Maria Quiteria and FPSO Atlanta.
Petronas has ventured into oil production in Brazil and last year opened its petrol station as well.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that although Malaysia's biggest market and source of investment is the United States and China, there are opportunities beyond them.
Anwar said he has asked Zafrul to facilitate and offer assistance to Malaysian companies doing business in Brazil.
Brazil has not only shown its strength as a voice of the third world, but has also become an important economic power, he said.
In his meeting with Lula da Silva this morning, Anwar said they discussed various issues of importance between the two countries.
Anwar said Lula has accepted his invitation to visit Malaysia during the Asean Summit in October.
"He wants to bring key ministers and business groups to Malaysia. There will be a special conference with both of us jointly addressing the event," he said.
Malaysia participated in the BRICS Leaders' Summit as a partner country and as Asean chair 2025. It officially became a BRICS partner country on Jan 1, 2025.
Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Brazil increased by 14.6% to RM20.35bil (US$4.38bil) in 2024, rising from RM17.43bil recorded in 2023. Brazil is one of Malaysia's main trading partners in Latin America. – Bernama
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