Despite positive signs, it is too early to call victory (in the world economy)," the finance ministers of Brazil, Russia, India and China said in a statement to be released after a meeting Friday, according to a draft seen by Dow Jones Newswires.
"Protectionism remains a real threat to the global economy," the draft said.
The meeting of BRICS officials is part of a gathering of finance ministers from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in London Friday and Saturday.
Ministers will discuss regulating banker bonuses and financial markets and the timing of exit strategies from economic stimulus programs, among other issues, ahead of a summit of G20 leaders in Pittsburgh later this month.