Parliamentary committees are established as instruments of Parliament to scrutinise government action and legislation, and to interact with the public. Parliamentarians have an obligation to take an active interest in international trade regulations, to help shape government's policy on international trade and to develop negotiating positions. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brics, will bring about bilateral agreements and these countries may find themselves affecting or influencing neighbouring countries, for example, South Africa and the SADC region.