OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2013. Chairman Ma Zehua, in his capacity as the Acting Chairman of Chinese BRICS Business Council, attended the BRICS Business Council meeting and the private meeting with African business leaders, held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In the BRICS Business Council meeting held on the afternoon of August 19, 2013, Chairman Ma, joined with other Chinese council members, discussed issues of common concerns with council members of other BRICS countries. Key topics relating to the future development of BRICS Business Council were fully discussed. The topics included terms of reference, prioritized working areas, objectives, etc. After the meeting, the BRICS Business Council announced multiple results that had been achieved in the meeting. Members of the Chinese BRICS Business Council, Mr. FU Chengyu, Mr. LI Ruogu and Mr. WANG Wei also attended the meeting.

On August 20, 2013, the private meeting with African business leaders, proposed by the South African BRICS Business Council, was held in Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg. Chairman Ma Zehua, on behalf of the Chinese BRICS Business Council, delivered speeches in the opening and closing ceremony. Then, Chairman Ma attended the media briefing with the other 4 Chairmen, and answered relevant questions from the press. Chairman Ma also participated in the breakaway session, shared his insights regarding infrastructure as a panelist.

The meeting with African business leaders attracted over 80 entrepreneurs from Africa, and over 60 from the other four BRICS countries. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, attended the opening ceremony, and delivered a speech on behalf of the South African government. The meeting was also attended by representatives from Chinese enterprises including SINOHYDRO, Construction Bank of China, HUAWEI, HISENSE, ZTE, CNMC International Engineering, etc.

In his speech in the BRICS Business Council meeting, Chairman Ma expressed the positive stance of the Chinese business community on promoting trade and investment among BRICS countries, and between BRICS countries and Africa. He also introduced the key issues that the Chinese BRICS Business Council attaches great importance to. The issues are trade liberalization among BRICS countries, providing local treatment to BRICS companies, establishment of information exchange platform among BRICS countries, and providing convenience for visa application among BRICS countries.