Learning by doing: Belt and Road FDI spillovers

FOREIGN direct investment (FDI) has long been viewed as an important catalyst of economic development. It contributes to job creation, productivity growth and infrastructure development, all of which lead to greater living standards and higher economic growth.

It is in this context that China comes into play on the global stage. Covering 65 nations, 64% of the world’s population, 39% of global land area and 30% of the world’s gross domestic product, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a massive project comprising a chain of infrastructure projects initiated by China, with the aims of improving regional integration and facilitating trade on an unprecedented scale.