Public Procurement, Regional Integration, and the Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a mechanism through which countries can upgrade connectivity-related infrastructure, including cross-border projects, complementing traditional sources of finance. An overarching goal the BRI to reduce trade costs between China partner countries, in part by helping integrate regional markets. The large-scale borrowing associated with projects has given rise potential debt servicing sustainability concerns. rate return infrastructure depends on integrity public procurement processes realizing value-for-money objectives. To date financed Chinese institutions have been largely awarded companies. Enhancing transparency international cooperation among participating would help achieve value for money goals support integration countries.