Beijing-backed green infrastructure laying foundations for growth to benefit all, experts say

The 13th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum in Macao saw the launch of the Mechanism for International Sustainable Infrastructure Promotion (MISIP) alongside panel sessions and business events on Sept 28-29. (MENG XIANGUANG / FOR CHINA DAILY and WILLIAM XU / CHINA DAILY)

Green infrastructure projects built with China’s Belt and Road Initiative have greatly enhanced connectivity and contributed to sustainable growth of the developing world, according to speakers at the 13th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) held on Sept 28-29 in Macao. 

Fang Qiuchen, chairman of the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), and Wang Wen, chief economist of China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, launched The Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2022) and The Report on the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2022) at the event.

Also launched at the forum is the Mechanism for International Sustainable Infrastructure Promotion (MISIP), jointly initiated by CHINCA, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Fang said the mechanism, now with 26 institutional participants, aims to build a cooperation promotion platform and a network of partners, and jointly push the development of infrastructure projects towards a sustainable direction that is more diversified, inclusive, greener, low-carbon, and more climate-resilient. He welcomes more institutions to join in.

Inset, from right to left, are some main speakers at the forum’s opening ceremony, including Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei of the United Arab Emirates, Wee Ka Siong of Malaysia, Mahbub Ali of Bangladesh, and João Baptista Borges of Angola. Below right, experts at a panel event discuss low-carbon infrastructure.(MENG XIANGUANG / FOR CHINA DAILY and WILLIAM XU / CHINA DAILY)

The forum focus is on consolidating the foundations of collaboration, expanding the extent of it, and carrying out extensive dialogue and exchanges, Li Fei, assistant minister at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said in his keynote speech.

“We will continue to bring new opportunities to the world with China’s new development … promote the joint construction of the ‘Belt and Road’, continue to deepen pragmatic cooperation with other countries in the field of infrastructure, and work together to create a better future,” said Li. 

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, minister of energy and infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, said that over years, relationship between China and the UAE has become increasingly close.

He said the UAE has contributed to more than 650 investment projects in China, and more than 4,000 Chinese companies operate in the UAE today, a two-way process that has created more than 400,000 jobs.

Wee Ka Siong, minister of transport of Malaysia said, via video, that over the past four decades “Malaysia has adopted innovative approaches to infrastructure investment, in ensuring high value infrastructure projects are feasible, reliable, socio-economically sustainable and cost effective”.

Fang Qiuchen, CHINCA chairman, and economist Wang Wen unveil a BRI index and a related report at the forum. (MENG XIANGUANG / FOR CHINA DAILY and WILLIAM XU / CHINA DAILY)

In the maritime industry, he said the country has multiple projects underway alongside well-managed and highly efficient ports, in cooperation with China. 

Mahbub Ali, state minister at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism said, “The traditional friendship between China and Bangladesh has a long history and has a broad space for cooperation in the field of infrastructure.”

He cited the completion of the domestically-funded, Chinese-built Padma Bridge project as an example.

João Baptista Borges, minister, Ministry of Energy and Water, Angola said via video link that China is the country’s main economic partner, with a bilateral trading balance of around $23 billion. 

The 13th IIICF brought together more than 1,300 participants from 20 financial institutions, more than 70 of the world’s top 250 international contractors and 600-plus enterprises from the world’s infrastructure industry.

Contact the writers at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com