BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE: What Are Bangladesh’s Interests?

In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis of 2007, growth slowed down in the economy of China, as well as in the world economy. In response to this, China unveiled a grand strategy of opening up to the world. The centrepiece of this strategy was the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, later known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As a truly global endeavour, the BRI has ramifications far beyond the borders of China. Bangladesh has been part of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, which was subsequently included as one of the six economic corridors under the BRI. Hence, it is important to investigate how the BRI affects Bangladesh. This study analyses the BRI from Bangladesh’s perspective and aims to uncover what interests the country may have in participating in this initiative. Bangladesh’s role in the BCIM Economic Corridor is briefly discussed, and the five types of connectivity proposed under the initiative are examined from Bangladesh’s viewpoint. The possible challenges related to the BRI which are pertinent to Bangladesh are highlighted, and the Chinese response to these challenges is also noted. A number of recommendations are made for guiding future research on the topic.