THE Black Management Forum (BMF) has welcomed the appointment of mining billionaire Patrice Motsepe as the first chairperson of the Brics Business Council.

Motsepe, a former president of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is expected to hit the ground running.

BMF managing director Nicholas Maweni, who was speaking on the sidelines of the 5th Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa summit currently taking place in Durban, said each member country would be represented on the council.

"The council will give us an opportunity to have a business body that will highlight economic opportunities and issues facing each country. Each member country will provide market access to its Brics partners.

"This means that because South Africa imports a lot of goods we will see a balancing of trade in which we will be given the opportunity to start exporting as well."

Maweni was excited about the business council also looking at supporting small businesses.

Asked if he was worried that the summit had not initiated a "Brics Labour Council" to focus on labour issues, Maweni said the council would look at a wide range of issues.

"The council would contain sub-committees that would also include labour. We are happy that Brics will provide a wonderful opportunity for trade collaboration with other countries," he concluded.