The Proposal of 6th IIICF (Draft)
1. Theme：Regional Economic Integration and International Infrastructure Cooperation
2. Background
At present, the regional economic integration has become an important trend in
world economic development. Along with the founding and development of significant
regional economic cooperative organizations such as The European Union, The African
Union, ASEAN and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC),
volume of the internal trade, scale on personnel exchange and capital flows in related
neighboring countries and regions are increasing, which not only require higher
infrastructure capacity but also provide opportunities for cooperation on regional
infrastructure.
Currently, Chinese government proposed a strategic thinking --“Silk Road
Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road of 21st century (One Belt and One Road)”
which is the new attempt to push forward development of regional economic integration
as well as the major strategy to improve China’s opening-up in the new period. The
objective of One Belt and One Road is achieving connection and integration on five
fields including policy, transportation, trade, currency and civil society among
neighboring countries, especially infrastructure cooperation is a priority where a large
number of upcoming projects on railway, highway, ports etc. will afford numerous
cooperation opportunities to China and related countries. One Belt and One Road passes
through Middle Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and parts of Europe,
connecting with Asian-Pacific Economic Circle and European Economic Zone where
majority of countries along the route are emerging economies and developing countries
which are on the rise and have strong demand on infrastructure. Strengthening
infrastructure cooperation with these countries is the strategic need of China and
complies with the demands and interests of countries along the route.
Regional economic integration has a long history, the European Union is the
typical example of regional economic integration zone. Africa and Latin America are
also the regions which have pushed forward regional integration and development.
However, the level of integration in Africa and Latin America nowadays are still low
due to the influence of multiple factors, the commonly existing incomplete
infrastructure has become one of the major restrictions to economic and social
development.
Therefore, numerous regional organizations in Africa and Latin America
accelerated integrative infrastructure development to promote regional cooperation. The
Africa Union identified cross-border and trans-region infrastructure development
programs and overall implementation framework in 2012, and provided supports for
regional infrastructure construction by establishing funds. In the meantime, other
sub-regional organizations in Africa have made, implemented and finished many sound
and highly-efficient infrastructure projects including road, railway, harbors and airports
etc. to facilitate regional trading cooperation, personnel exchange and improve the
effectiveness of manufacturing and services industry for a more integrated Africa. In
addition, Latin America is also speeding up the regional economic integration, a number
of major regional economic integration organizations including CELAC have launched
many encouragement policies concerning infrastructure investment through
coordinating macroeconomic policies and putting together joint action plan in this
region for improving the overall economic power of Latin America.
While improving commercial environment themselves, countries in Africa and
Latin America are also actively seeking for extensive international cooperation. Africa
is an important infrastructure partner of China who tends to establish cross-border and
trans-regional infrastructure partnership with Africa, helping Africa develop consulting
and planning of connected infrastructure and encouraging Chinese enterprises to engage
in trans-regional infrastructure construction and management of operation in Africa
through innovative financial arrangement. Furthermore, China and Latin American
countries have deepened mutual cooperation on manufacturing, energy, resources and
infrastructure construction to a new stage with the establishment of China-CELAC
Forum. With closer political relations and economic ties among China, Africa and Latin
America, infrastructure cooperation as a key point of regional economic cooperation
will certainly be uplifted to a new height.
For a long period, Chinese leaders have been committed to the strategic layout for
"going out" of infrastructure construction by arranging large-scale financial support,
furthering the cooperation on infrastructure investment and construction between China
and major regions in the world through important measures such as setting up
China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund, carrying forward establishing Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank, supporting to set up New Development Bank (BRICs
Bank) and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Development Bank etc. In the
context of development of regional economic integration, what kinds of changes and
adjustments of international infrastructure market will occur? What are the ongoing
progress and innovative measures launched by governments for speeding up regional
infrastructure construction? How the financial institutions coordinate and strengthen
mutual cooperation to support regional infrastructure construction? How the related
countries and regions collaborate to achieve effective financing, sound operation and
accordance of codes &standards of the projects? The above hot topics will draw great
attention and arouse warm discussion among global industry.
It is realistic that 6th IIICF will be centered around “Regional Economic Integration
and International Infrastructure Cooperation” to discuss for better implementing
national strategy, facilitating industry development and international cooperation, which
can also draw great attention and involvement from domestic and overseas industry
sectors.