Jakarta, IO – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo emphasized that Indonesia has not joined BRICS. According to him, the country’s membership in the economic bloc still needs careful study and calculation.
Jokowi made this statement while attending the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa, per Presidenri.go.id, Friday (25/8).
“We want to study it first, calculate it first, we don’t want to rush it,” said Jokowi.
Accordingly, Jokowi revealed that Indonesia had not yet sent an expression of interest to BRICS. Nevertheless, he appreciated the cooperative relations, especially in the economic sector, where Indonesia and BRICS are closely intertwined.
“To become a new member of the BRICS, a country must submit an expression of interest, and to date Indonesia has not submitted the letter,” he said.
On the same occasion, Jokowi also appealed to all developing countries to unite and fight for their rights for the sake of national development. Thus, all acts of discrimination against efforts to developing countries’ progress must be eliminated and cooperation that is equal and inclusive must be continuously advocated.
“We must reject trade discrimination. Industrial downstreaming must not be hindered. We must all continue to promote equal and inclusive cooperation,” he said.
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BRICS consists of five emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Other countries have expressed their interest to join, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Iran. They will officially become members on January 1.
Together, BRICS nations account for more than 40 percent of the world population and a quarter of the global economy. (bp)