Most economists agree that during the next 20 years or sooner, China will overtake America to become the largest economy in the world, with India, Russia and Brazil not far behind. It’s going to become increasingly important for entrepreneurs, businesses and investors to properly understand and gain experience in the new BRIC economies, so that deciding to invest or do business (or not) in these markets is a considered, rational progression – not a blind leap of faith!

As you can see from the diagram below, when you combine the three traditional economic forces of big populations, large areas of land and the availability of capital and wealth, an interesting picture emerges:

As can be seen from the above, the four BRIC countries, together with the US, represent the five most influential and dominant economies in the world today for business and investment. And, unlike the US and other developed economies, the BRICs are growing rapidly, applying their available capital into long term growth assets (eg infrastructure, construction and to raise lower incomes) and building new wealth amongst their emerging middle classes.

This is where it all gets interesting. An army of 2 billion middle class consumers have now emerged from the BRIC (and some other emerging) countries, are currently spending US$6.9 trillion per annum and, according to McKinsey, this figure will rise to US$20 trillion in the next decade, a figure which represents about double the current consumption of the USA!

It’s the emergence of these new middle class consumers, and their substantial buying power, that should cause every Australian company, big or small, to start developing a BRIC strategy to tap into these new markets.

Join David Thomas's Masterclass and start taking advantage of these exciting business opportunities!

About the Presenter:

David Thomas is well known in Australia for his experience, credibility and passion for identifying, building and facilitating business and investment relationships between developed and emerging countries. He consults to organisations of all sizes to create viable, profitable and sustainable businesses in offshore markets and draws on his knowledge, experience and connections from living and working in London, Hong Kong and Sydney.

He is a Vice President of the Australia China Business Council in NSW and, in 2009, he was presented with the prestigious Australian Thought Leaders Expert of the Year Award.

 David Thomas is:

• The only person in the world to have led delegations to all four of the BRIC countries
• A passionate, knowledgeable and engaging speaker on the BRICs - the four economic powerhouses of the 21st Century
• A facilitator of business and investment between developed and emerging countries
• An adviser to entrepreneurs and businesses seeking guidance, expertise and support when entering the BRIC and other emerging markets
• Winner of the Australian Thought Leader "Expert of the Year" Award in 2009
•  30 years experience from living, working and doing business in Europe and Asia Pacific