Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Paper Series,
Research Institute of Industrial Economics

No 1439: The Belt and Road Initiative: Economic Causes and Effects

Fredrik Sjöholm ()
Additional contact information
Fredrik Sjöholm: Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN), Postal: Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Box 55665, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: Chinese investment abroad has grown significantly in connection with the Belt and Road Initiative. This article tries to answer two questions: first, what considerations gave birth to the BRI? And second, what are the project’s economic effects in terms of capital flows and international trade? It is found that the project is, above all, a way to deal with large surplus capacity in China’s capital-intensive industries, to increase growth in relatively poor regions of the country, and to secure a supply of energy and raw materials. For other countries involved in the project, BRI investments are a means to increase production and international trade. International trade and foreign direct investment have been positively affected, although to a limited extent. Finally, there are concerns that lack of transparency in Chinese lending may lead to increased corruption, and that some countries will face financial difficulties.

Keywords: The Belt and Road; China; Trade; FDI; Investments

JEL-codes: F10; F20; O10; O50

Language: English

26 pages, September 20, 2022

Full text files

wp1439.pdf PDF-file Full text

Download statistics

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Elisabeth Gustafsson ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:1439This page generated on 2024-09-13 22:15:51.