1. OBOR: Regional Reflections
Amitendu Palit, ISAS, NUS

2. Fundamentals
Economic Corridors connect contiguous geographies, reduce trade costs and increase investments
OBOR visualizes corridors through land, sea and cyberspace
Maritime geography most significant part (East & South China Sea, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf)
India, South, & Southeast Asia geographical core

3. Logistics Capacity (LPI Rank)
Contrasts
High: Europe, East Asia, SE Asia
Medium: Africa, Middle East
Low: Central Asia, South Asia
Intra-Regional Trade
High: East Asia, Europe
Medium: SEA (Non-CLM), West Asia (Saudi, Oman), India, Egypt
Low: Africa, CA, South Asia
Logistics Capacity (LPI Rank)

4. Heterogeneous Economic Geography Economic Integration
Infrastructure Use
Some Regions More Enabled to Use Corridor
East Asia, Europe, SE Asia
South Asia, Central Asia, Africa
Reticent Indian Response
Business: Uncompetitive for ports & trade facilitation
Strategic: Wait for Domestic Capacities & Strategic Clarity

5. Emerging Issues ‘High’ China Largely China Forums in Vision Document
Political distancing from ‘Chinese’ effort
Trade Rules
ROOs from RTAs & upcoming RCEP
MSRI should complement ‘Direct Consignment’
Trans-shipment hubs
Project Financing
China-funded or collaborative?
If largely China-funded- conditions?
If collaborative – templates?

6. Doubts & Dilemmas
Unique connectivity plan but clearly aimed at geopolitical objectives
Counter-strategic responses possible like AAGC: but infrastructure stock improves
Would committed investments materialize given high public debt of Chinese economy?
Would strategic autonomy need to be sacrificed for better infrastructure?