Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh will welcome if BRICS invites Bangladesh formally to join the group of five member states - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

“We will surely join once they invite us. We are yet to receive any formal letter (inviting us to join). BRICS leaders are thinking of taking some emerging economies – around eight new countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Bangladesh,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

Earlier in Geneva, Momen hinted that Bangladesh is likely to become a member of BRICS in August this year.

Read: Bangladesh likely to become member of BRICS in August: Momen

BRICS leaders are expected to attend the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa from August 22-24. The Summit will be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Johannesburg, Gauteng. 

BRICS leaders will engage with business during the BRICS Business Forum and engage with the New Development Bank, BRICS Business Council and other mechanisms during the Summit. 

South Africa will also continue its outreach to leaders from Africa and the global South and hold a BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue during the 15th BRICS Summit.

Read:  Momen joins Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meet

Foreign Minister Dr Momen recently joined the Friends of BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting virtually at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of South Africa Dr. Naledi Pandor and said the current global economic crises are inducing countries to cooperate more in regional and multilateral platforms.

Momen referred to the development, economic, environmental and health-related focus of the BRICS nations.

He suggested that the BRICS member states transfer their cost-effective technology to the developing partners. 

Read more: China hosts BRICS meeting amid rising economic concerns