New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS): The South African High Commission here announced on Tuesday that its office here and their consulate general in Mumbai have started issuing ten year multiple entry Brics business visas to qualifying Indian business executives.

"South Africa unilaterally decided to issue the long-term Brics business visa to further facilitate global economic growth and development by expanding markets and to also promote trade and investment" South Africa's Deputy High Commissioner Malose Mogale said in a statement.

"We believe this initiative will further go a long way in strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations between South Africa and India and thus achieve the $18 billion trade target set by our principals," he said.

In applying for the visa, companies and chambers of commerce must issue an official letter on their company letterhead confirming that the applicants are business executives and members of their company or chamber of commerce, the statement said.

The idea of a Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) business travel card or special business visa was first proposed at the the fifth Brics Summit in South Africa in 2013.

South Africa has approved the issue of port of entry visas to Brics business executives for up to 10 years, with each visit not to exceed 30 days, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba told reporters earlier this year.