<p>Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is preparing to join the BRICS group of emerging economies, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in an interview with Chinese media outlet Guancha.</p><p>The BRICS group of nations originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which gave it the acronym.</p><p>The group last year began to expand its membership as it looks to challenge a world order dominated by Western economies, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates joining and more than 40 countries expressing interest.</p>.India welcomes Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia joining BRICS.<p>"We have made a decision, we will be placing the formal procedures soon... we are just waiting for the final results from the government in South Africa," Anwar said, according to a video of the interview posted by Guancha on Sunday.</p><p>A representative from Anwar's office on Tuesday confirmed his comments to Reuters.</p><p>During the interview, he did not provide further details on the application process.</p><p>Anwar's comments came ahead of a three-day visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang this week, as part of celebrations marking the 50th year of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.</p><p>Malaysia and China are expected to sign several deals during Li's visit, including renewing a five-year trade and economic cooperation agreement.</p>
<p>Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is preparing to join the BRICS group of emerging economies, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in an interview with Chinese media outlet Guancha.</p><p>The BRICS group of nations originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which gave it the acronym.</p><p>The group last year began to expand its membership as it looks to challenge a world order dominated by Western economies, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates joining and more than 40 countries expressing interest.</p>.India welcomes Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia joining BRICS.<p>"We have made a decision, we will be placing the formal procedures soon... we are just waiting for the final results from the government in South Africa," Anwar said, according to a video of the interview posted by Guancha on Sunday.</p><p>A representative from Anwar's office on Tuesday confirmed his comments to Reuters.</p><p>During the interview, he did not provide further details on the application process.</p><p>Anwar's comments came ahead of a three-day visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang this week, as part of celebrations marking the 50th year of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.</p><p>Malaysia and China are expected to sign several deals during Li's visit, including renewing a five-year trade and economic cooperation agreement.</p>