BRICS – KCS Group Asia Ltd

South Africa: the state power crisis and civil unrest risk

Articles / BRICS, civil unrest, Due Diligence, Economy, Infrastructure, political instability, risks, South Africa, unemployment, volatile / 06/2025

South Africa’s economy in 2025 continues to struggle, with weak growth and mounting structural pressures. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has downgraded growth forecasts to approximately 1.2% for the year. Reuters confirm the government’s official forecast has also been lowered, as electricity supply constraints and tariff hikes weigh on businesses and consumers [...]

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Savings and Sanctions: Indonesia lured by Russian oil

Articles / BRICS, Due Diligence, Economy, European Union, G7, Geopolitics, Indonesia, Oil, Russia, Sanctions, USA / 01/2025

With its recent entry into BRICS offering Indonesia closer ties with Russia, the potential import of discounted Russian oil presents a double-edged sword with both an opportunity and a conundrum. The appeal is clear: Energy Minister, Bahlil Lahadalia, and National Economic Council Chair, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, have calculated savings of up to US$22 per barrel,

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Two’s company, three’s a crowd

Articles / BRICS, China, Due Diligence, European Union, Geopolitics, global economy, International Security, North korea, Russia, Russia:Ukraine conflict, USA / 11/2024

Recent developments have identified an escalation of alliances, with North Korean (NK) premier, Kim Jong Un, bolstering Vladimir Putin’s military capability by providing much-needed arms and personnel supplies for their war against Ukraine. This enhanced collaboration not only reveals a greater bond between NK and Russia, but it also presents a subtle challenge within the

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BRICS 2024: Expansion and the great de-dollarisation debate

Articles / Brazil, BRICS, China, de-dollarisation, Due Diligence, Geopolitics, global economy, India, international business, multi-currencies, Russia, USA, world trade / 11/2024

At the recent BRICS summit hosted in Kazan, Russia, the bloc not only expanded its influence by welcoming new full members Iran, Ethiopia and the UAE, but it also extended invitations to thirteen additional ‘partner countries’. This activity reflects BRICS’s growing status in geopolitics. However, beneath the veil of this expansion lies a contentious issue:

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The new power play in Africa: Russia, China and the shifting sands of influence

Articles / Africa, BRICS, Britain, China, Due Diligence, Economy, France, Geopolitics, Russia / 02/2024

Africa’s geopolitical landscape is changing, driven by the active involvement of Russia and China. Russia has had a hand in Africa for some time, but China’s recent involvement is further impacting historic colonial structures and patterns. Vestiges of Africa’s colonial past are still evident in its regimented zones of influence and in the political and

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US attempts to weaken BRICS

Articles / Argentina, BRICS, China, Due Diligence, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, trading bloc, UAE, USA, Venezuela / 10/2023

With talk that Venezuela and Mexico are formally applying for membership of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), it is a good time to assess just what the Biden administration is trying to do to weaken and break up the trading bloc. The US succeeded in regaining control over the Philippines as part

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The US vs China – who will draw back?

Articles / BRICS, China, Due Diligence, Foreign Affairs, Geopolitics, USA, world economy / 09/2023

The two major powerhouses of the world’s industrial and financial markets are not just at odds with each other but are fighting a ‘cold war’ that threatens the very foundations upon which all countries operate. Both economies are suffering – and that’s partly as a result of policies enacted by their own governments. For China, the

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BRICS vs RCEP: Clash of the regional trade titans

Articles / BRICS, Due Diligence, Geopolitics, RCEP, trading bloc, world economy / 08/2023

At just three years of age, the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) is already showing signs of rivalling its older sibling, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). BRICS, formed in the early 2000s as a gathering of fast-growing nations, has had significant influence on the global stage and has become an institutionalised forum.

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Damned if you do, damned if you don’t – Putin and the BRICS summit

Articles / Brazil, BRICS, China, Due Diligence, India, Putin, Russia:Ukraine conflict, South Africa / 08/2023

Putin’s decision to avoid the BRICS summit is not all it seems. Between 22 and 24 August, South Africa will have the honour of hosting the 2023 annual BRICS summit. The big names – Brazil, India, China and the hosts, South Africa – will be present in full force. The Russian President will not. BRICS

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BRICS sees G7 policies as counter-productive… and they’re right!

Articles / BRICS, Cryptocurrencies, Due Diligence, Economy, European Union, Geopolitics / 05/2023

On 1 June, the current foreign ministers of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are due to meet in Cape Town, hosted by Naledi Pandor, the South African Minister of International Relations and Co-operation. Following South Africa’s assumption of the chairmanship of BRICS on 1 January this year, the 15th BRICS

BRICS sees G7 policies as counter-productive… and they’re right! Read More »

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