The government would also promote development of free trade areas that include BRI partner countries.The report said that China had signed more than 100 deals with 86 countries and organisations under the initiative. The deals have led to the construction of railways, ports, and oil and gas pipelines. These include a new Mombasa-Nairobi railway line in Kenya and rail projects underway connecting Hungary and Serbia, China with Laos and Thailand, and the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Bandung.But the financing of BRI projects has also raised serious concerns. “We have always highlighted that Belt and Road projects should take account of economic, social, financial, fiscal, environmental and debt sustainability. Whether ‘Belt and Road’ is good or not... only countries and people who participate in it are qualified to speak on the issue.

Source: Economic Times April 09, 2018 02:48 UTC