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Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has asked the South African business representatives attending the Brics summit in China to aggressively take advantage of the opportunities that membership of the group of emerging market economies offers.
SA is the newest member, joining Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Zuma met with the South African business delegation on Wednesday, ahead of the start of the third Brics leaders' summit in Sanya on Hainan Island in China.
He was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel.
"Our role as government is to create an enabling environment for business to operate. We believe we are doing that successfully," Zuma said.
"President of Business Unity SA, you must marshal your forces to take advantage of the huge market offered by Brics.
"South African business must take advantages of opportunities in various areas including energy, agriculture, science and technology. Do not listen to those who are saying SA is punching above its weight. We are punching within our weight; we will not let opportunities go by," he said.
Earlier Zuma held bilateral talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Chinese President Hu Jintao to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
"We are looking forward to our inaugural meeting tomorrow (Wednesday). We are upbeat. Africa is moving away from the margins, we are playing our role among powerful emerging economies," Zuma added.
SA was attending the Brics summit for the first time as a member, having joined the grouping in December last year.
SA is the newest member, joining Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Zuma met with the South African business delegation on Wednesday, ahead of the start of the third Brics leaders' summit in Sanya on Hainan Island in China.
He was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel.
"Our role as government is to create an enabling environment for business to operate. We believe we are doing that successfully," Zuma said.
"President of Business Unity SA, you must marshal your forces to take advantage of the huge market offered by Brics.
"South African business must take advantages of opportunities in various areas including energy, agriculture, science and technology. Do not listen to those who are saying SA is punching above its weight. We are punching within our weight; we will not let opportunities go by," he said.
Earlier Zuma held bilateral talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Chinese President Hu Jintao to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
"We are looking forward to our inaugural meeting tomorrow (Wednesday). We are upbeat. Africa is moving away from the margins, we are playing our role among powerful emerging economies," Zuma added.
SA was attending the Brics summit for the first time as a member, having joined the grouping in December last year.
