During the Commonwealth of Independent States Global Business Forum (CIS GBF 2016), the One Belt One Road initiative was addressed, along with mention of its positive effects on business and trade.
The project, which is supported by China, has increased business activity in the CIS region while allowing more countries to develop inroads to the Silk Road, according to Dr. Yu Jianlong, secretary general of China Chamber of International Commerce.
“China is relocating plenty of companies on the One Belt One Road initiative, which has brightened up prospects in the fields of infrastructure development and industries such as iron and steel, software development, and garment and shoe manufacturing,” Jianlong said. “The initiative will usher in an era of prosperity in the region.”
The theme of the forum is dubbed “Ancient Routes – New Opportunities.”
Kanat Alpysbayev, vice president of logistics for Kazakhstan Railways, noted that multimodal services, specifically those connecting rail to air services, are vital to building profitable resources and serving customers better. Effective infrastructure expansion must include the combination of roads, seaports and railways, he said.
Taleh Ziyadov, director-general of Baku International Sea Trade Port, Azerbaijan, applauded the development attained by Dubai to grow into the 20th-century hub. He noted that the infrastructure of the Silk Road has always focused on the hub concept — which is promising, as hubs consistently add economic value.
Ziyadov highlighted intermodal transportation as the future of a renewed economic environment. Azerbaijan has developed an expansive logistics infrastructure by building desirable routes that have supported trade and business expansion within the region through the ability to successfully take on valuable goods.
