South Africa’s export structure to BRICS member countries shows significant diversification and the negative trade balance has also narrowed over the last four years, i.e. from R57 billion in 2008 to R22,8 billion in 2011. South Africa’s export trade with the BRIC partners grew from 6,2% of the total in 2005 to 16,8% in 2011, whereas its imports from the BRIC countries represented 13,6% of total imports in 2005 and 20% in 2011. The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, has emphasised that in 2011 alone, trade between South Africa and BRICS countries grew by 29%, which is considerable.