Digital economy to be discussed at BRICS communication ministers’ meeting

Ministers of Communications from BRICS countries are scheduled to hold meetings in Cape Town this week as part of preparations for the group’s summit later this month. Ministers from South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India and China will hold discussions on several topics, including updates on the digital economy task force.

In preparation for the leaders’ summit planned to take place from the 22nd to the 24th of August in Johannesburg, ministers in various key portfolios have been holding their own meetings.

Communications Ministers will among others, discuss cooperation in advancing the digital economy, to promote the expansion of digital access for all communities.

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies says it wants South Africa’s membership of BRICS to serve to consolidate its relations with the rest of the continent. It will therefore promote the rapid deployment and rollout of digital infrastructure.

The department says it will push for BRICS member countries to benefit from the research and development of these technologies and not just be mere consumers.