BD may join BRICS in second phase, FS hopes

Bangladesh, which could not become a member of the BRICS in its just-concluded summit, is expected to be included in the group in next phase.
"The South African President, in his speech in the Johannesburg summit, clearly mentioned that six countries are given membership in the first phase, and others will be included in next phases. We are expecting to be included in the second phase," Foreign Secretary (FS) Masud Bin Momen said on Sunday.
He noted that the exclusion would also give Bangladesh time to assess the pros and cons of joining the group.
Mr Masud, who attended the summit, also opined that political and regional issues might be instrumental in the exclusion of Bangladesh, which was an aspirant for membership of the BRICS, seen as an emerging and influential platform.
"May be there is a question of maintaining balance among the regions. For example, by picking countries from Africa, North Africa, Latin America, and Middle East they might want to maintain a geographical balance. There are other aspirants like us in our region, but they are also excluded this time."
However, the FS observed that Bangladesh is getting real benefit of the BRICS by becoming a member of the New Development Bank (NDB), sponsored by the group.
According to him, the real and tangible benefit of becoming a member of the BRICS is to get access to its fund. Since Bangladesh is already a member of the NDB, the country is getting that benefit from the platform.
"The bank is the only tangible outcome of the BRICS during the last 15 years since its inception. As we are a member of the bank, there is nothing to get upset," he pointed out.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com