Belt and Road Initiative Platform

Sophie Christopher

The ambitious programme to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via Land and Maritime networks along the six corridors with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. The projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are mainly related to Infrastructure development in the transport, energy, mining, IT and Communications sector, but also cover industrial parks, special Economic Zones, tourism and urban development. Improving connectivity and cooperation, boost trade and stimulate economic growth. Strengthening soft infrastructure.

Episodes

  1. 06/29/2021

    The Belt and Road Webinar Series Two- The Pre Bri China Sri Lanka Verse Post BRI with Yasiru Ranaraja

    Sri Lanka is located in the the Indian ocean. The podcast talks about the Pre and Post BRI and the years of Civil unrest in Sri Lanka. It looks at how things have changed during these times and looks at what construction projects are happening or will be taking place. The BRI projects started in 2013. Yasirus Ranaraja talks about the Pre BRI and the lack of stability, funding, how ports were stalled and highways were stalled. Plus the unstably of the government. The Civil war in Sri Lanka ended in 2011, with projects starting soon afterwards. Yasirus highlights the problems of getting funding from the international markets. We discuss how China put into place the Economics Strategy and the implications of this.  How and why Sri Lanka was labelled a debt trap.  Port City Colombo and the construction of the financial City now underway. How these projects are helping small and Medium Businesses.  The challenges regarding reclaiming land from the sea and other major challenges that were faced and how these were overcome.  Port City is located next to Colombo Port to attract shipping business from international companies from around the world, with many linkages having already in place in Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka has deep ports for the mega ships, with feeders ships servicing local ports and areas in the Indian Ocean. The BRI is engaged in historical and cultural links to maximise economic output. Yasiru talks about the Dam built for fresh water for the 30,000 framers who depend on fresh water for growing crops. This project started in 1970 but still on going and was the biggest project that had taken place in Sri Lanka at that time.  Lots of local debates are taking place, with businesses and people asking how they can get their goods and services in to the International markets. How to close the Export gap and how to tap in to the European and Japanese markets.  Proper microphones placement retain the natural sounds in our recordings as you would hear them originally. This recording method, enables us to provide you with a truly real experience. Real. Natural.

  2. 06/29/2021

    The Belt and Road Initiative Series Belgium with Dr Sebastien Goulard

    In this series Dr. Sebastein Goulard talks about Belgium. Belgium has not signed an MOU and no formal agreement has been signed with China regarding the BRI. But Belgium has central location, Placed well for Chinese Companies. Belgium is a very business friendly Alibaba has a large warehouse in Belgium. Belgium has a knowhow to export products in Europe and open to foreign markets. Belgium and China have a very strong relationship. Belgium is great place for Chineses companies to establish business.  Two important ports Antwerp and Burges, these ports are working together with Rotterdam in Netherlands. Cooperation in place for good links. These ports are connected high roads, and railways and airports. Belgium is one of the most important to the BRI.  The BRI is about connectivity and Dr. Sebastein Goulard touches upon Bulgaria requires inward investment. Belgium does not requires financing from Chineses banks. In Bulgaria conducting business is much more difficult, understanding the market for the foreign investments investments for Chineses Companies.  The BRI offers many opportunities at many different levels, especially for businesses looking to expand their products and services on the markets.  Dr. Sebastein Goulard explains that having a united front when dealing with China and the BRI, to have the same rules, same position regarding China. The Union requires coordination and corporation.  The China Markets are Challenging.  Proper microphone placement to retain the natural sounds in our recordings as you would hear them originally. This recording method enables us to provide you with a truly real experience. Real. Natural.

About

The ambitious programme to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via Land and Maritime networks along the six corridors with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. The projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are mainly related to Infrastructure development in the transport, energy, mining, IT and Communications sector, but also cover industrial parks, special Economic Zones, tourism and urban development. Improving connectivity and cooperation, boost trade and stimulate economic growth. Strengthening soft infrastructure.