Chairperson, the MF welcomes the Brics summit, and we would like to congratulate the Minister on her efforts. We consider it to have a very important potential. Whilst all economies are growing in the world, it gives us immense joy that the future potential economic giants of the world will be setting foot in the beautiful land of KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa as a country must analyse opportunities in terms of business scoping, investment opportunities, and infrastructural investment and development in Africa as a whole. This is a new chapter for us and, indeed, as a country we must undoubtedly seize the opportunity to advance our economy.
We must be mindful and cautious about the terms of exchange. From the Brics point of view, decisions they take will be in their national interest. We must be vigilant about the advancement of our national interests. We must take note of the trade-off: what they bring in and what we give. This must not appear to be a one-way street. We must reap collective consensual benefits. We must emphasise the need for mutual understanding and ensure that we are getting the best deal to advance our growth. This must not be a case of us being the weakest partner at the Brics summit.
We must take note of the dumping of Brazilian chickens, something that is hurting our poultry industry. Our industry is quite well developed and we have the capacity to supply our own. The fact that they are dumping chickens below the cost of our production, and that their method of production is by some sort of injection of water or whatever to increase mass, compromises actual nutritional value. We must protect our industry and not be seen as killing our own jobs with those kinds of imports. We need to examine these issues and speak quite frankly about them.
Concerns are also directed, particularly, at our clothing industry. We must endeavour to save our own jobs and protect our own clothing industry against cheap Chinese imports. We need to build our economy so that our people enjoy great opportunities. Let us ensure that the Brics summit's outcome will translate into opportunities for the common man.
In order to achieve this, a vibrant advocacy awareness programme is important. It must not be a summit that is only going to attract the rich and the bourgeois. We support it.