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South African Entrepreneur on BRICS Summit: 'Less Talk, More Collaboration'
South African Entrepreneur on BRICS Summit: 'Less Talk, More Collaboration'
Sputnik Africa
With the 15th BRICS Summit in progress in Johannesburg, Trevor Tambo, a South African businessman and member of the BRICS Business Council's Finance Working... 23.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-23T13:40+0200
2023-08-23T13:40+0200
2023-08-23T14:33+0200
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Trevor Tambo, whose business interests cover financial services, as well as the maritime, space and aviation sectors, emphasized the significance of South Africa hosting the 15th Summit of BRICS, which brings together five of the world's leading emerging economies, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.He highlighted that this milestone event positions his country as a flagbearer for the entire African continent, consisting of 54 nations. Tambo reiterated the potential to eradicate poverty through robust collaborative efforts with BRICS partners in various fields.BRICS-Africa CooperationSpeaking on the potential for trade and exchange between the BRICS and African countries, particularly with regard to the use of national currencies in trade settlements and the possible creation of a BRICS currency, Tambo acknowledged the growing interest in moving towards such innovative proposals.While the African businessman eagerly awaits the outcome of the ongoing deliberations, he emphasized the strong "appetite" for progressing in this direction.The South African businessman also touched upon the unique expanded composition of the 15th BRICS Summit, to which more than 30 African leaders have been invited. Tambo expressed his expectations for the summit as an opportunity for extensive cooperation and action-oriented discussions between African and BRICS leaders. He emphasized that this summit represents a significant shift towards concrete cooperation, as opposed to mere rhetoric.Tambo noted that such collaboration is especially important for "us as emerging small and medium entrepreneurs because it's really rare to get this high caliber of capital industry." He added that they should "invest in opportunities."Space ExplorationHighlighting his keen interest in space exploration, Tambo discussed the potential for collaboration with Russia in this field. He acknowledged Russia's rich history in space exploration, harking back to when the USSR was the first country to land on the moon over a half a century ago.Recognizing South Africa's current position as the only African nation with a space weather center, Tambo underscored the significant opportunities for the country in developing its own rockets and satellites. He expressed his desire to tap into this potential and leverage partnerships with nations like Brazil and Russia to unlock value in the space sector.Sanctions as Neocolonial ToolAddressing the issue of unilateral sanctions imposed on Russia, Tambo expressed his belief that such measures do not significantly hinder entrepreneurs like himself.While acknowledging the potential repercussions on a country-to-country basis, he emphasized that individuals within a nation can still engage in trade.Commenting on the notion that Western countries use sanctions as a neocolonial tool to create obstacles, Tambo said, "I think we can talk about jealousy here. There's nothing to it." He stressed the need for Africans to work together for the collective development of the continent.Tambo expressed his admiration for Russia's successful efforts in improving its economy, notwithstanding the sanctions. He commended the country for recognizing the potential in Africa, which is rich in mineral resources that could be further utilized through enhanced processing capabilities.Africa's Vital Role in New Multipolar WorldShifting the conversation to the emergence of the multipolar world, Tambo pointed to Africa's pivotal role. With a population of approximately 1.6 billion across the continent, he viewed Africa as a new frontier with extensive potential.He acknowledged the contributions of partners like Russia in fostering Africa's success, particularly thanks to cooperation with entrepreneurs from the Russian Federation. Tambo expressed his desire to work together with various BRICS partners, including China and Brazil, to capitalize on opportunities presented by this evolving multipolar world.
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South African Entrepreneur on BRICS Summit: 'Less Talk, More Collaboration'
13:40 23.08.2023 (Updated: 14:33 23.08.2023) Muhammad Nooh Osman
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With the 15th BRICS Summit in progress in Johannesburg, Trevor Tambo, a South African businessman and member of the BRICS Business Council's Finance Working Group, conveyed his optimism about the potential prospect for cooperation at the event. Tambo shared his insights with Sputnik Africa in an exclusive interview.
Trevor Tambo, whose business interests cover financial services, as well as the maritime, space and aviation sectors, emphasized the significance of South Africa hosting the 15th Summit of BRICS, which brings together five of the world's leading emerging economies, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
He highlighted that this milestone event positions his country as a
flagbearer for the entire African continent, consisting of 54 nations. Tambo reiterated the potential to eradicate poverty through robust collaborative efforts with BRICS partners in various fields.
"So us as a country holding the 15th anniversary of BRICS is a game changer for South Africa because some of the countries are regarding us as a developing country. But it's just to show that South Africa is indeed carrying the flag for the whole 54 [African] countries that are behind us," the member of the BRICS Business Council told Sputnik Africa. "There are good opportunities to collaborate with BRICS partners."
Speaking on the potential for trade and exchange between the
BRICS and African countries, particularly with regard to the use of national currencies in trade settlements and the possible creation of a BRICS currency, Tambo acknowledged the growing interest in moving towards such innovative proposals.
While the African businessman eagerly awaits the outcome of the ongoing deliberations, he emphasized the strong "appetite" for progressing in this direction.
"It'll be very interesting what will be the outcome of all of those innovative propositions that we're making," Tambo said. "We'll see at the end of the reports what is the collaboration. But there's a huge appetite in terms of us moving to that direction."
The South African businessman also touched upon the unique expanded composition of the 15th BRICS Summit, to which more than 30 African leaders
have been invited.
Tambo expressed his expectations for the summit as an
opportunity for extensive cooperation and action-oriented discussions between African and BRICS leaders. He emphasized that this summit represents a significant shift towards concrete cooperation, as opposed to mere rhetoric.
"What this type of BRICS summit represents is less talk and more collaboration. Now it's all about us. How do we collaborate, how to make sure that the people that are in agriculture in Brazil exchange opportunities with people in Kenya? It's part of the whole Africa," he said. "This is a Big Africa summit, not only in South Africa," he stressed, but "because of carrying all other nations."
Tambo noted that such collaboration is especially important for "us as emerging small and medium entrepreneurs because it's really rare to get this high caliber of capital industry." He added that they should "invest in opportunities."
Highlighting his keen interest in space exploration, Tambo discussed the potential for collaboration with Russia in this field. He acknowledged Russia's rich history in space exploration, harking back to when the USSR was the first country to land on the moon over a half a century ago.
Recognizing South Africa's current position as the only African nation with a space weather center, Tambo underscored the significant opportunities for the country in developing its own rockets and satellites. He expressed his desire to tap into this potential and leverage partnerships with nations like Brazil and Russia to unlock value in the space sector.
"South Africa is the only country inside Africa where they have what you call [a] space weather center, amongst all the 54 countries. You can understand that South Africa is leading, but how to make sure that we actually make or bring value out of those opportunities?" he pondered. "It's quite a good thing that you can actually see with Brazil and Russia in terms of this," he noted.
Sanctions as Neocolonial Tool
Addressing the issue of unilateral sanctions imposed on
Russia, Tambo expressed his belief that such measures do not significantly hinder entrepreneurs like himself.
While acknowledging the potential repercussions on a country-to-country basis, he emphasized that individuals within a nation can still engage in trade.
"I think whatever happens in terms of the sanctions, it doesn't really affect us as an entrepreneur. I mean, we're not sectional. I can trade with you in any other way. Yes, you may hold us into account as a nation, but individuals within the nation can still," he said, underscoring the resilience of cross-border commerce. "You can still have your South African wine in Russia. Nothing stops that."
Commenting on the notion that Western countries use sanctions as a neocolonial tool to create obstacles, Tambo said, "I think we can talk about jealousy here. There's nothing to it." He stressed the need for Africans to work together for the collective development of the continent.
"If we don't stand up as a group, we're not going to unlock the potential for those in need, such as the homeless who require shelters," he stated.
Tambo expressed his admiration for Russia's successful efforts in improving its economy, notwithstanding the sanctions. He commended the country for recognizing the potential in Africa, which is rich in mineral resources that could be further utilized through enhanced processing capabilities.
"You understand that South Africa, Africa as well, we have all these minerals, but [we] don't do the processing and all that stuff. There is so much wealth here," he told Sputnik Africa.
Africa's Vital Role in New Multipolar World
Shifting the conversation to the emergence of the multipolar world, Tambo pointed to
Africa's pivotal role. With a population of approximately 1.6 billion across the continent, he viewed Africa as a new frontier with extensive potential.
"Africa is a new frontier. In about ten years, everybody will be applauding Africa," Tambo predicted.
He acknowledged the contributions of partners like Russia in fostering Africa's success, particularly thanks to cooperation with entrepreneurs from the Russian Federation.
Tambo expressed his desire to work together with various BRICS partners, including
China and Brazil, to capitalize on opportunities presented by this evolving multipolar world.
