BRICS in the Spotlight: Economic Powerhouse or Fractured Alliance?
BRICS, (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), was established on June 16, 2009, with the primary objective of reducing member nations' dependence on the Western economy.
Notably, BRICS collectively represents 25% of the world's total economic output, covers 26.7% of the world's surface area, comprises 41.5% of the global population, and boasts a combined GDP of $25 trillion. And now we know why people are fascinated by BRICS.
Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that South Africa stands as the weakest member. Meanwhile, Brazil contends with an alarmingly high interest rate of 13.25%, and Russia remains embroiled in a protracted conflict that was initially expected to last no longer than two months but has now persisted for a year and a half, leading to a host of sanctions. In contrast, India appears to hold the most promising long-term potential within BRICS, and China's impressive, meritocratic GDP cannot be overlooked.
However, skepticism lingers regarding BRICS' ability to fully meet global expectations, driven by factors extending beyond economic considerations. One pressing concern centers on the significant conflict between BRICS' heavyweight members, China and India, particularly in the heavily militarized Tibet region. Recent events, such as those in the Galwan Valley, have amplified these tensions (https://lnkd.in/epYzuYpM).
Additionally, the recent inclusion of new members within BRICS, including KSA, UAE, Argentina, Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia, raises questions. While KSA and UAE demonstrate economic strength, Argentina grapples with staggering hyperinflation at 113.40%. Egypt's economic performance, marked by high inflation and a soaring interest rate of 19.25%, is concerning, and its national currency has seen a significant depreciation from $0.10 in 2008 to just $0.032 in 2023. Meanwhile, Iran struggles under sanctions.
Amidst these uncertainties, my skepticism regarding BRICS' prospects remains unwavering. I believe that the recent recruitment of new members has extinguished the last opportunity for BRICS to thrive.
Photo Credits to visualcapitalist.com
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