Mohammed bin Rashid: The role of the UAE is influential in strengthening the links of the region with the world

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the UAE plays a pivotal role in enhancing international cooperation and strengthening the region's ties with the world. The UAE's keenness to strengthen its global partnership frameworks in various fields in order to affirm the UAE's open approach to the world and its cultures and its constant efforts to build more bridges of positive communication and joint action towards establishing the foundations of sustainable development to ensure stability and progress for the peoples of the region and the world.

This came on the occasion of his attendance at the opening session of the second session of the "Belt and Road for International Cooperation" Forum, which opened yesterday in Beijing under the theme "Cooperation between the Belt and the Road: Formation of a brighter and brighter future" with the participation of about 40 heads of state and government. And delegations of about 150 countries and international organizations, foremost among them the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, and other entities covered by the initiative launched by the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, in 2013.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised the deep strategic and historical relations between the UAE and China in various fields and agreed their views on the various issues and international issues. He pointed out that the UAE is currently gathering economic and trade agreements in China, The two friendly peoples.

He praised the importance of the objectives pursued by the Belt and Road Initiative and appreciated its positive impact in promoting cooperation between dozens of countries in the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, reviving the idea of ​​the historic Silk Road.

His Highness said: "Our country is a partner in the construction of the Belt and Road project, and its objectives are in line with our vision and plans for the future. We have the potential to play a key role in the success of its objectives from a strategic location, logistics capabilities, infrastructure and long history as a central hub of the global trade movement. In the success of this global project promising all the opportunities that pave the way for him ».

He added: "The global economy is based on common opportunities, and this requires concerted efforts towards expanding international partnerships, enhancing trade flows and stimulating the investment capabilities of countries. Our Arab region is important to the world economic map. It is full of opportunities, despite the challenges that we face. To overcome them to start a new phase of growth and prosperity ».

"The UAE-China economic cooperation is flourishing, and there is full agreement on the importance of expanding its circle and deepening its positive returns," he said. Are keen to strengthen the position of the UAE within the various international projects that serve our interests and the countries of the region, and return to the good and development of the peoples of the world ».

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his accompanying delegation addressed the inaugural speech of the Forum and the path of the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, and stressed that the initiative is moving towards achieving its objectives in the light of the encouraging results achieved by China in its cooperation with partner countries. In the implementation of the initiative during the last period and since its launch in 2013.

He called on the partner countries of the "Belt and Road" to mobilize the resources and efforts to achieve the objectives of the initiative, pointing out that his country is on the threshold of a new development stage, in which it will expand its cooperation with partners around the world to meet the common challenges and find effective solutions to the problems that may hinder the march Global Development, continuing that China intends to provide a new package of initiatives supporting foreign investment and the economic sector in general.

The Chinese president stressed the importance of raising the level of international cooperation during the coming period and working to preserve intellectual property, as well as protecting the environment in order to ensure the development of "high quality" for the countries of the world, stressing China's keenness to cooperate with all international partners to open more opportunities for cooperation on A foundation of integrity and transparency.

The opening session included speeches by a number of heads of state and leaders who praised China's vision of global economic development, its openness and willingness to share opportunities on a balanced basis to promote the sustainable development rates of the countries covered by the initiative and spread across Asia, Africa and Europe. Expressed their countries' intention to cooperate with China in achieving the strategic objectives of the initiative for the benefit of all.

The aim of the second session of the Forum is to support opportunities for promoting international cooperation and diversifying its pathways, especially in the economic sphere, within the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative aimed at reviving the historic "Silk Road" which linked China to several regions around the world. An extension from Asia in the east to Europe in the west.

The initiative seeks to create a new global economic climate based on the principle of balanced partnership and inclusion and push globalization to more open horizons, taking into account the success of all parties, in line with the United Nations goals of sustainable development 2030, as well as providing new areas of rapprochement and cooperation between the countries of the world east and west .

Belt and Road Initiative

A report prepared by the Leading Group's Office in support of the Belt and Road Initiative, entitled "Belt and Road Initiative, Progress, Contributions and Prospects", showed that the initiative had an impact on the development of new growth engines to accelerate development in participating countries through the creation of industry chains, In five years, specifically from 2013 to 2018, the volume of direct Chinese investment in the countries participating in the initiative reached more than 90 billion dollars, generating revenues of 400 billion dollars.

In 2018, Chinese companies reported $ 15.6 billion in non-financial direct investment in participating countries, up 8.9 percent year-on-year, accounting for 13 percent of non-financial FDI in China over the same period.

The World Bank and other international institutions have indicated that cooperation within the belt and road will reduce the cost of trade The global economy has increased by 1.1% to 2.2% and contributes to the support of global economic growth with an expected rate of not less than 0.1% during 2019.

As part of the Road and Road Initiative, the number of cooperation agreements signed by China reached 173 with 125 countries and 29 international organizations by the end of March 2019. The initiative seeks to enhance the interconnectivity of infrastructure, linking six major economic corridors between the Asian and European economic circles, Trade flows between China and the belt and other countries reached $ 1.3 trillion in 2018, an increase of 16.4 percent year-on-year, while the initiative aims to meet China's demand for a global governance system characterized by excellence Equality, openness and inclusiveness.