The international Belt and Road Summit recently held in Beijing is the next step in the One Belt One Road initiative, a highly ambitious development plan in which China is to invest several billion dollars in additional infrastructure projects linking the country up with the rest of the world. These include investments in shipping transport links with East Africa and the Mediterranean region (Maritime Silk Road) and land corridors connecting China to Europe via Central Asia and the Middle East (Silk Road Economic Belt).
The port of Antwerp says it plays a prominent role in these plans thanks to its excellent sea access, its impressive array of distribution centres with value-added activities and its efficient connections with destinations in Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean.
The leading figures from the worlds of business and politics at this summit included Antwerp Port Authority CEO Jacques Vermeiren. Subjects discussed were among others how international collaboration can help to further roll out this One Belt One Road.