BRICS

India and Japan are partnering up to construct India’s first ‘Bullet Train’ by August of 2022. During India 2014 election Mr Modi made vast promises to improve the network, and the Bullet Train was one of his key promises.  The project is being funded by a $17 Billion loan from Japan with hopes strengthening ties. Over the next 5 years the project is expected to create up to 20,000 jobs. 4,000 of these jobs will be direct employment and 16,000 will be indirect employment opportunities. With this being first train of its kind in India this project will create new skills opportunities within the employees that will up the worker value within India.  -India launches first bullet train project. (2017, September 14). Retrieved [online] October 11, 2017, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41251210 -Nayak, G. (2017, September 14). India's bullet train might create 20,000 employment opportunities: SBI. Retrieved October 11, 2017, [online] http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...

As of Thursday October 5th, Russia sells their second S-400 Triumf missile-defense system this year. In September, Turkey finalized their deal with Russia by putting a deposit on a $2.5 billion deal for the S-400 system. Following this deal; October 5th, Saudi Arabia agreed to also purchase the S-400 system. Two deals for $2.5 billion dollars can significantly affect the Russian economy in a positive way, but barely put a dent in the total of 11 sold in 2016 (to China-6 and India-5).  This is also creating tension between the US and the two allies (Turkey and Saudi Arabia), making the US question their long-term loyalty to the Allied Nations.  Brown, D. (2017, October 07). This is the advanced missile-defense system Russia is selling to US allies. Retrieved October 11, 2017, [online] http://www.businessinsider.com/russia-s-400-missile-defense-system-sold-to-us-allies-2017-10/#the-csis-map-below-shows-where-russias-and-natos-air-defense-systems-are-deployed-the-interactive-map-...

As Brazil solidly exits its 4+ year recession their interest rates are expected to drop yet again. Currently, interest rates have dropped from 14% to 8.25%. Inflation rates have fallen from nearly 10% to 2.54% which is well below the Central Banks ideal rate of 4.5%. In addition to lower Inflation and lower interest rates Brazil’s economy will be getting a nice boost from a strong August harvest which will increase their exports and bring more money into Brazil. A revised estimate expects 2018 GDP growth to 1.7% with a potential high of 3% by the end of Quarter 1, 2018.  The BRICS Post. (07 Oct. 2017). Decline in Brazil’s inflation rate nears bottom. [online] http://thebricspost.com/decline-in-brazils-inflation-rate-nears-bottom/#.WduJlmhSyM8

Brazil, possibly the worst faring economy in the BRICS nation for the past four years is finally seeing light on the other side of the tunnel. Just a year after Brazilian President Michel Temer took office the inflation rates dropped from 9% to 2.46% leading to an increase in the Countries GDP. President Temer said “we have just left a very strong recession.”  The BRICS Post. (13 Sep. 2017). Brazil gov't says GDP growth could hit 3% in 2018. [online] Available at: http://thebricspost.com/brazil-govt-says-gdp-growth-could-hit-3-in-2018/#.WdFSNsiGOM8

At the 2016 summit the BRICS nations economies have been experiencing a down turn, so naturally their main focus at the summit was to boost trade and between their nations which make up almost half of the world population.   Brazil is one of the most important countries in South America, so their economic recovery is crucial to the entire economic status of South America.  The other countries rely on Brazil for their oil soy and other such commodities which have dropped.  They are also looking to boost their IT, pharmaceutical, energy, sanitation and important farming industries.   In the recent years tensions between the U.S. and Russia has caused the Russian economy to decline, especially with the U.S. sanctions on oil.  Russia has made very close relations with China due to this and will only advocate on issues for them.  Russia has also been looking to expand nuclear ties in India and also discuss the situation in Syria and Afghanista...