Trans-Eurasian Container Traffic: a Belt and Road Success Story

Countries in Northern and Central Eurasia, including its largest economies, Russia and Kazakhstan, were among early believers in the value of the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the last years, they increasingly embraced various aspects of the BRI, most importantly additional investment and rising volumes of trans-Eurasian traffic. The latter, apart from being a lucrative business on its own, should eventually lead to better internal connectivity between inner-Eurasian regions. In this article EFSD Chief Economist provides data and estimates for the spectacular growth of the volumes of trans-Eurasian container transit. He explains the underlying reasons provides several suggestions on the issue of financing, the role of China, and the role of international financial institutions. 

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