·         Programme Director,
·         Honourable Minister of Economic Development, Mr Ebrahim Patel,
·         Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Senzo Mchunu,
·         KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Traditional Affairs, Mr Michael Mabuyakhulu,
·         Commissioner for the Competition Commission of South Africa, Mr Thembinkosi Bonakele,
·         Heads of BRICS Competition Authorities,
·         International and local speakers,
·         Academics,
·         Moderators and panelists,
·         Delegates of the 4th BRICS International Competition Conference,
·         Our international friends,
·         Distinguished guests,
·         Members of the media,
·         Ladies and gentlemen,
·         All protocol observed,
Good morning ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our beautiful City of Durban.  On behalf of the good people of our City, I wish to extend a special welcome to our international friends.  We are honoured to the 4th BRICS International Competition Conference.

Ladies and gentlemen, this Conference provides a forum for the exchange of views on issues of common interest amongst BRICS members and an exploration of these developing countries’ perspectives on competition policy and enforcement.

Under the theme: “Competition and Inclusive Growth” BRICS will explore strategies and means of achieving inclusive economic growth through competition enforcement.  Among others, the conference aims to share best practices and experience on competition enforcement within and among BRICS countries.

I am pleased to announce that South Africa and Africa as a whole had benefited from economic co-operation with BRICS partners.  This, ladies and gentlemen, was revealed by President Jacob Zuma who was speaking at the 7th BRICS Summit held in Russia in July this year.

Our President said there had been a 70 percent increase in South Africa’s total trade with BRICS.  In 2014, its total trade with BRICS was R328 billion, from R268 billion in 2011.  Africa had doubled its total trade with BRICS since 2007 to $340 billion, (R4.2 trillion) in 2012 and this was projected to reach $500 billion this year.
Also, through BRICS, there are several sectors that are key areas of co-operation between our country and other countries namely food production, power generation, petro-chemical industry, mining, tourism, renewable and nuclear energy, trade, transportation, communications and training.

Prior to South Africa’s entry into BRICS grouping, the country’s export trade with BRICS countries stood at just 6.2 percent of total exports, a tiny percentage of our overall export activity.

When South Africa took up its seat as the fifth member of BRICS in 2011, exports grew to 16.8 percent, experiencing a growth of 29 percent by the end of that same year.  Increased international trade will allow our country to gain access to the latest technology, improved efficiencies, economies of scale in production and foreign markets.

In closing ladies and gentlemen, I am of the view that this conference will deepen relations of the member states in the field of competition regulation and open economic opportunities.

Lastly, let me take this opportunity to once again welcome you to our warm City.  I wish you a successful conference and I am certain that we are all looking forward to the outcomes of this major gathering.

Thank you