Repaving the ancient Silk Routes

China’s Belt & Road initiative has great potential, but faces unique risks as well. What are they?


PwC’s Growth Markets Centre has launched its latest report ‘Repaving the ancient Silk Routes’. The report covers China’s Belt and Road (B&R) initiative – a concept that was announced by China’s President Xi Jinping in 2013 to rebuild the ancient Silk Route that connects China to Europe via Central Asia – which has since gained significant economic momentum. Kept broad and inclusive by the Chinese government, the B&R’s expansive ecosystem now include railways, airports, and even a maritime route. The initiative goes beyond just geopolitics and embraces the promotion of commercial interests, trade, culture and social integration.

These activities are mainly focused along six economic corridors, which cut through more than 65 developing countries, and are expected to be a catalyst for infrastructure development that will have an impact on a population of about 4.4 billion and one third of the global economy. 

‘Repaving the ancient Silk Routes’ analyses how foreign companies can participate in B&R projects and provides a point of view on unique B&R complexities. It also highlights how interested companies can evaluate and select B&R projects, in addition to identifying key factors for success.

Companies are making blind bets on innovation with billions of dollars potentially on the line. That is one of the main findings of PwC’s Innovation Benchmark, the report surveyed over 1,200 global executives and business leaders to examine how top companies are meeting innovation challenges. 
Companies are making blind bets on innovation with billions of dollars potentially on the line. That is one of the main findings of PwC’s Innovation Benchmark, the report surveyed over 1,200 global executives and business leaders to examine how top companies are meeting innovation challenges. 
Companies are making blind bets on innovation with billions of dollars potentially on the line. That is one of the main findings of PwC’s Innovation Benchmark, the report surveyed over 1,200 global executives and business leaders to examine how top companies are meeting innovation challenges. 

Contact us

Penelope Kourkafa

Director, Marketing & Communications, PwC Greece

Follow us