Chapter 1 - An introductory overview of the Belt and Road Initiative studies

Abstract

Since the inception of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, significant changes have taken place along the belt and road (B&R), in terms of infrastructure investments, connectivity, global supply chains network, and trade development. In particular, approximately 700 projects in the transport infrastructure investments in 96 countries along the B&R in the period of 2013–2020 are expected to bring long-lasting changes to the industries and markets affected in the regions, encouraging policy coordination, trade facilitation, financial integration, and transport connectivity. Although many papers and studies are now available in public and have discussed a wide range of topics and sectors, it can be said that both theoretical and empirical studies are still scanty. On top of that, they have not fully addressed the implications of the BRI to the transport and logistics sectors by country cases and by region, the best strategies and operation practices that the sectors can pursue, and government policies that should be implemented in relation to the initiative. Having recognized this research gap, this book attempts to examine the development and performance in multiple countries. Even though not every chapter in this book is dedicated to the implications of the BRI, all of them have analyzed the transport and logistics sectors in the countries along the B&R, thus facilitate further studies more directly or exclusively to the BRI.