The 9th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting took place on November 11, 2019, in Brasilia, Brazil. This meeting was a significant event in the lead-up to the 11th BRICS Summit, held on November 13-14, 2019. The meeting facilitated open and constructive discussions among the trade ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, focusing on enhancing intra-BRICS trade and investment cooperation as well as addressing current global economic and trade issues.

Key Outcomes and Discussions

1. Intra-BRICS Trade and Investment:
   • The ministers discussed opportunities to enhance trade and investment among BRICS countries. This included exploring ways to reduce trade barriers and improve economic cooperation.
2. Global Economic and Trade Environment:
   • The discussions also covered the current global economic and trade environment, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities faced by BRICS nations in the international market.
3. Multilateral Trading System and WTO Reform:
   • The ministers likely addressed the importance of a robust multilateral trading system and the need for reforms within the World Trade Organization (WTO). This is consistent with previous BRICS meetings where such topics have been a focal point.

Context and Significance

The 2019 meeting was part of a series of high-level interactions under Brazil’s chairship of BRICS, which included various ministerial meetings throughout the year. These gatherings aimed to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors, including finance, health, environment, and agriculture.

Historical Context

BRICS Trade Ministers have been meeting regularly since their first meeting in Sanya, China, in 2011. These meetings have established institutional mechanisms like the Contact Group for Economic and Trade Issues (CGETI), which undertakes discussions on various trade-related topics, including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Multilateral Trading System (MTS), and Non-Tariff Measures.Overall, the 9th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting in 2019 was a crucial platform for reinforcing economic ties and addressing shared challenges in the global trade landscape.