Third International Conference on “Belt and Road Initiative”
Organized by: Embassy of Peoples Republic of China in Nepal;
Nepal China Friendship Forum
Organized On: 18-19 November, 2018
Introduction:
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was announced in 2013 as a project to build trade routes linking China with multiple countries. It has ambitions to reshape the global economy by connecting more than 60 countries across Asia, Europe and Africa through trade and infrastructures projects. In this regard, the Embassy of Peoples Republic of China in coordination with Nepal China Friendship Forum (NCFF) organized a two day conference entitled ‘Third International Conference on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in South Asia and Nepal: Trade, Investment and Connectivity Dynamics’ in Kathmandu from 18 – 19 November, 2018.
The conference was held with the objective to discuss the benefits of BRI in Nepal and South Asian countries. The specific objectives of the conference were:
- To discuss on the country specific BRI experiences.
- To explore possible regional contribution of BRI in South Asia.
- To identify workable modalities for implementation of BRI projects in SAARC Countries.
- To promote shared economic and development growth among countries through BRI.
Outcome:
The conference was jointly inaugurated by Minister for Finance, Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada of the Government of Nepal and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nepal, Yu Hong. It was attended by various academicians, experts, government officials, media persons, civil society and representatives from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
BRI formed a platform where experts from various nations discussed on issues of BRI related to trade and connectivity; people-to-people contact; special economic zones; agriculture; health and investment.
Experts discussed and presented on the economic issues of BRI. Opportunities and benefits of BRI in South Asia as well as individual nations were highlighted. The discussions gave clarity to the roles of the countries in BRI as well as BRI’s place in the national and regional development plans. Experts also emphasised on the linkages of BRI with Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, common grounds for SAARC regional cooperation growth and connectivity and people to people relations were also highlighted.
The discussions helped to better understand BRI in Nepal and build a network of professionals that are able to identify Nepal’s priorities within BRI. The conference was a platform to raise confusions regarding various issues related to BRI.