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• The literature review finds that multimodal transport infrastructure and connectivity can facilitate trade expansion, attract foreign direct investment, speed up the industrialisation process and enable more efficient production networks, facilitate regional integration, and accelerate the process of economic growth.
• The literature review finds that multimodal transport infrastructure and connectivity can facilitate trade expansion, attract foreign direct investment, speed up the industrialisation process and enable more efficient production networks, facilitate regional integration, and accelerate the process of economic growth.
• There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between transport infrastructure and connectivity and bilateral trade. Assuming that this relationship is causal, with the proposed level of investment in transport infrastructure in the BRI region, total trade volumes increase not only in the BRI region, but also in the countries outside the initiative (such as those in the EU). Therefore it appears to be a win-win scenario.

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans to build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which have come to be known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is geared towards encouraging greater policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, investment and trade cooperation, financial integration, cultural exchange and regional cooperation between Asia, Europe and Africa, by creating jointly-built trade routes emulating the ancient Silk Road. Using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, this study was to measure the impact of improving transportation multimodal connectivity on multilateral trade and economic growth across countries and regions along China Belt and Road Initiative. This is a proof-of-concept study which is targeted at stimulating discussion and providing empirical evidence on the impact of transport infrastructure improvements in the BRI region. The study's findings aim to be of use to policymakers and stakeholders who are interested in this infrastructure plan.

• Chapter One

  Introduction

• Chapter Two

  The impact of multimodal transport infrastructure and connectivity on trade and economic growth

• Chapter Three

  Barriers to and facilitators of transport connectivity

• Chapter Four

  Measuring multimodal transport connectivity and infrastructure

• Chapter Five

  Measuring the impact of the BRI on trade

• Chapter Six

  Summary and conclusions

• Appendix A

  Country list of the study area

• Appendix B

  Examples of bilateral distance by different transport model

• Appendix C

  Relationship between exports and transport indices