Bangladesh formally applies for BRICS membership

South Asian emerging economy Bangladesh has formally requested to join the BRICS coalition, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The request was put forward following a meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa in Geneva last Wednesday.

A source disclosed that during the discussion with PM Hasina, the South African president positively addressed the issue.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said a formal letter of interest to the current chair of BRICS and South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor was sent in this connection.

When asked about this matter, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Masud Bin Momen confirmed: "Yes, we have expressed our interest and applied to join the alliance."

The upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to take place in South Africa this August, might include discussions about new membership.

Bangladesh is currently recognized as a “Friend of BRICS” and participated in the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Friday.

New Development Bank
In 2015, BRICS established the New Development Bank to assist both its member nations and other countries.

Following diplomatic communication to acquire membership, Bangladesh became the first country to join the bank after its founding members.