The historic Belt and Road (B & R) initiative launched by the Chinese Government will revitalize trading routes by land and by sea between China and Europe and help accelerate the economic development of many Asian economies on the way.  Trillions of dollars will have to be invested over a period of several decades, so sound planning will be essential.  Investments to upgrade international transport, communications and energy networks will need to be backed by policy coordination to make international commerce among B & R economies cheaper, easier and faster, including cooperation to strengthen institutional and people to-people connectivity.

 

It is not possible to plan investments in detail several decades ahead.  Initial plans will need to be adjusted over time, taking account of lessons learned in the early years of the B & R program and to take full advantage of new technological opportunities.  During 2016, the Qianhai Institute for Innovative Research (QIIR) will prepare a strategy paper on how planning can evolve in an efficient way.

 

QIIR researchers will set up a data base and develop the capacity to monitor progress of early B & R projects.  They will also prepare two issues papers.  One these will consider how the vast financial resources that will be needed can be mobilised from international capital markets and strategies for ensuring that the B & R program remains financially sustainable.  The second paper will explore the policies needed to ensure that the new physical networks are backed by the skills and institutional capacity to use them efficiently.  That will need access to by high quality information and communications technology.  These issues papers will be presented for discussion and used to prepare the main strategy paper on effective long-term planning for the B & R.