Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China: Connecting the World for Sustainable Economic Development

Abstract

The aim of this article is to assess the effect of strategies of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on sustainable economic development of member countries. This study is based on qualitative approach and secondary data. A number of documents such as journal articles, government reports, books, book chapters and working papers have been consulted to substantiate the arguments. The article explores that there is a potential effect of BRI on the sustainable economic development of its member countries. Some of the member countries are getting direct benefits from it and other countries are in the way of getting benefits through infrastructure development, trading, cultural exchanges and mutual political agreements. It is empowering a number of developing countries through economic development by linking economic corridors, seaport, roads and railway networks. This article also finds that so many economic zones are planned to open in member countries to get benefits from BRI initiative by promoting infrastructure, energy, gas, oil and electricity, roads, railways and other related projects.