Chapter 2; One Belt One Road : Capital Investments, Economic Integration, and Growth of Participating Countries

This chapter starts with the need for infrastructure investment in One Belt One Road (OBOR) countries. By employing a simple linear regression analysis, it is evident that massive infrastructure could lead to an improved wellbeing of member countries. The chapter also highlights the current state of infrastructure investment levels of participating countries. The evidence shows that most member countries lack quality infrastructure levels. The concluding part of the chapter explores economic integration among member countries. Through network analysis, it is evident that though member countries are gradually being integrated, such integration is at a slower rate than expected. Massive investment in infrastructure in China and by extension the countries along the Belt and Road would not only provide financial gains to business partners but would as well lead to an improved wellbeing of countries in the initiative. This provides an opportunity for both domestic and foreign businesses to consider massive investment in infrastructure in China, which is at the center of the initiative