15th BRICS Summit: FICCl-FLO Delegation of women business leaders visits South Africa to participate in meetings of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance

BRICS has been one of the significant multilateral groupings. To promote women’s economic participation and empowerment by unlocking business opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the five BRICS countries, BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) was set up in the year 2020.

On occasion of the 15th BRICS Summit, the South Africa chapter of BRICS WBA which currently holds the rotating Chairpersonship of the alliance, organised a BRICS Africa WBA Trade Conference on August 20-21, 2023 in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban.

FICCI, which is the official secretariat of BRICS WBA India partnered with FICCI Ladies Organisation(FLO) to mount a delegation of Indian women business leaders to Durban to participate in this mega event. Besides representatives from BRICS, the conference witnessed participation of senior Government officials and women-owned businesses from across African continent who participated in the insightful sessions and deliberations. Ms Sudha Shivkumar, President, FICCI FLO led the visiting delegation from India.

Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda, Mayor eThekwini Metro Municipality, Ms Lebogang Zulu, Chair BRICS WBA South Africa, Dr Sangita Reddy, Chair BRICS WBA India (video message), Ms Sudha Shivkumar, President, FLO, Ms Busi Mabuza, Chairperson, BRICS Business Council South Africa (video message), Her Royal Majesty Queen kaMayisela Zulu, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Province were amongst other key dignitaries and experts who spoke at the event.

This was the first ever physical meeting of BRICS WBA national chapters. In addition to the thematic sessions and expert dialogues, other key highlights of the event included: close-door Annual Meeting of BRICS WBA, finalisation of the BRICS WBA Annual Report and the BRICS Women’s Development e-Thekwini Declaration, announcements of select partnership business deals, networking opportunities, site visits and a gala dinner in honour of BRICS and African women uniting through trade and investment, coinciding with South African Women’s Month commemoration.

Following the visit to Durban, the delegation visited Johannesburg to attend the BRICS Business Forum held on 22nd August 2023. Organised under the aegis of BRICS Business Council, the forum was attended by the BRICS Heads of State, members of Governments and representatives of the business community. During his address, the Prime Minister of India stated that despite economic turmoil in the global economy, India today remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy. He expressed confidence that India will soon be a five trillion-dollar economy and highlighted the nation’s commitment to mission-driven reforms, which have notably enhanced the ease of doing business in India.

Dr Sangita Reddy, Chair, BRICS WBA India also joined the FLO delegation and the Indian delegation in Johannesburg where the BRICS Women’s Development e-Thekwini declaration was formally adopted and signed in the presence of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities of South Africa. She was accompanied by President FLO Sudha Shivkumar and Senior GB members . Also, the Annual Report 2023 of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance was presented by Dr Reddy to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Johannesburg. While the annual report highlights various significant endeavours towards women empowerment being undertaken in the respective BRICS countries, the declaration serves as call for action to the key stakeholders to augment the existing efforts towards achieving women’s rights.

The BRICS leaders have been encouraging the work of BRICS Women’s Business Alliance which has been instrumental to further solidify the BRICS cooperation towards the shared vision of women empowerment. With the governments now deciding to expand the BRICS grouping further by including six more nations – Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Argentina, Ethiopia – from January 2024, this engagement platform becomes even more important.

FICCIFLO was able to create a formidable relationship with the Ministry of women and child development and the Youth affairs. They were keen to attend the Solar Mama Training in Tilonia, Rajasthan where the Barefoot University is based. FLO is facilitating the cohort from South Africa to start their training from January 2024.

FLO is hopeful that in partnership with FICCI and with the continued guidance and support of the Government we can build stronger partnerships with the BRICS nations and bring women to the mainstream.