Economist Jim O’Neill was the first to spot the huge potential of the BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India, and China, and predict how the world would change. In this landmark series, Jim travels to four countries which could one day stand alongside them and join the world’s economic elite. Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey – MINT – could become the new name on people’s lips, and further overturn the old world order.
For the four-part radio espisodes, click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03pn2h6/episodes/guide
Mexico
Mexico’s hope of becoming the workshop of North America was shattered by China’s domination of cheap exports, but recently, the Mexican dream is in sight again. As Beijing opts for “quality not quantity” of growth, companies are returning, drawn by competitive labour and proximity to the US market. In the first part of a landmark series, the economist Jim O’Neill travels across Mexico to investigate. He discovers that its ambitions now go far beyond cheap manufacturing. But can Mexico’s youthful, reforming government overcome the challenges of widespread poverty, crime and a huge number of people living outside the formal economy?
Indonesia
Indonesia has enjoyed a boom created by its exports of raw materials to China, India and other growing economies. But commodity prices are notoriously volatile and the world’s fourth largest nation needs to create a more stable economy as it expands even further and urbanises rapidly. International investors are queuing up to exploit this major market, but as Jim O’Neill discovers in the second part of this series on the so-called MINT countries, the Indonesian story is complex: poverty, poor infrastructure and an historical aversion to foreign interference could all threaten the dream of joining the world’s economic A list.
Nigeria
Today Jim investigates Nigeria; can a big nation of young, vibrant, natural entrepreneurs overcome the country’s terrible legacy – decades of corruption, crime, and mismanagement?
Turkey
For centuries, Turkish traders have exploited their location on the historic Silk Road between east and west, selling to merchants travelling in both directions. And, as Jim O’Neill reports Turkey’s geography remains important to this day as the country becomes an aviation hub, a conduit for gas and oil, and a unique visitor destination. Yet Turkish plans go much further too. So can this ambitious country combine its deep-rooted trading skills with ultra modern technology to develop world-beating manufacturers? Or will its much lauded potential remain just that?