BRICS officially agreed to include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the group, in addition to other countries.
In a statement, the group announced approval of the inclusion of Egypt, Argentina, Ethiopia, the UAE and Iran.
The BRICS account for 23% of the global GDP, 42% of the world's population and 16% of world trade.
During a summit meeting concluded in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Aug. 22 to 24, BRICS agreed to expand the group, which includes five countries: China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa.
source: Argaam