Infrastructure key to revival of economies

Nations participating in BRI will also see livelihoods boosted, forum hears

Green and inclusive capacity building in infrastructure among countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative will not only help them overcome key economic challenges but boost people's livelihoods, an international forum in Macao was told on Tuesday.

"Infrastructure investment and construction will be key" to reviving the jobs market and national economies, said Asim Saleem Bajwa, chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority at the 11th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, or IIICF.

Despite the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, about a dozen major projects in Pakistan were proceeding as scheduled, according to Bajwa. "Under CPEC, no project has been suspended for construction, and no worker has been laid off," he told the gathering via video from Islamabad.

Later at the forum, Moin ul Haque, Pakistan's ambassador to China, invited members of the audience to applaud Chinese officials who made it possible for projects such as Lahore's Orange Metro Line subway system to be completed.

Cambodia's Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said his country is going ahead with about a dozen projects covering highways and airports.

Infrastructure investment and construction are crucial for every country's social and economic development as they create opportunities for growth, generate jobs, and facilitate trade, Sun Chanthol said via video from Phnom Penh.

"Cambodia believes the Belt and Road Initiative is a positive and new path for country-to-country relations," said the minister.

The 11th IIICF brings together ambassadors from 32 countries, senior executives from over 20 financial institutions, and representatives of top contractors and engineering equipment companies, international consulting firms, and engineering and construction services. More than 1,000 peopled attended the first day of the conference－the largest public event in Macao so far this year. It ends on Thursday.

Baba Ahmad Jidda, Nigeria's ambassador to China, noted in his address that the largest African economy is prioritizing 10 large infrastructure projects, and the envoy appreciated the help given by China during the pandemic.

Sarah J.C. Serem, Kenya's ambassador to China, said Kenya will build strong partnerships in information sharing, capacity building, financing and efforts to preserve the environment.

Indonesia Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun said Indonesia is looking at 200 infrastructure projects and that number will grow in the coming years.

Joachim von Amsberg, vice-president of policy and strategy at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, said the BRI has consolidated partnerships. While there are challenges, opportunities abound, he said in a panel discussion.

Zhu Xian, vice-president and chief operations officer of New Development Bank, a multilateral institution established by the BRICS grouping of nations, said emerging market economies will be transformed for smarter, greener, and more sustainable development.

In a panel discussion, Tomas Kuta, senior vice-president of sales at Volvo Construction Equipment, said Asia is taking a growing role in overall global infrastructure investments, with key drivers being Indonesia, India, Japan and China.