Memorandum of Understanding between PS IGC TRACECA and SRCIC: New platform for cooperation within Silk Road region

Left: Mr. Lu Jianzhong, Chairman of SRCIC, Right: Mr. Mircea Ciopraga, TRACECA Secretary General;

Statement and TRACECA Presentation;

Left: Mr. Ciopraga, TRACECA SG, Right: Mr. Li Zhonghang, Secretary General of SRCIC;

Signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding;

Interview with TRACECA Secretary General

Upon the official invitation of Mr. Lu Jianzhong, the Chairman of the China Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC), Mr. Li Zhonghang, Secretary General of SRCIC, Mr. Mircea Ciopraga, TRACECA Secretary General participated in this high level Summit.

In two days more than 600 participants from 72 countries attended the Summit,including governmental officials, ambassadors, high representatives and chairmen of international business associations ,international financial institutions, international organizations.

The Summit included a main forum, six parallel panels and discussed such important issues as Financial service and Platform in the Construction of Belt and Road, Cooperation Mechanism in the Construction of the Belt and Road, Economic Globalization and Connectivity, The Belt and Road and Private Sector, Financial Cooperation along the Silk Road, Economic and Trade Development. On the outcomes, positive results have included the release of SRCIC Xi`an Consensus on Contributing to a Global Community with a Shared Future, the agreement signing of 25 projects on commerce and culture; the announcement of connectivity through www.eSilkRoad.com; the launching of the Silk Road Transnational Alliance of Financial Leasing, and the Silk Road International Artwork Trading Platform.

Within the Summit, special attention was paid to bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanism of SRCIC with various profile regional and interregional organizations and institutional structures that could be mutually beneficial to the construction of One Belt and One Road Initiative as well as shared achievements of economic and commercial development.

During the speech, Mr. Ciopraga mentioned TRACECA cooperation with many profile organizations in the field of international transport, identifying priorities and perspectives of cooperation on the issues of further sustainable development of transport communication in the Eurasian region.

Broadening of cooperation in the field of transport and trade between the TRACECA countries and China is of common interest in view of increased economic and social potential, trade and tourism growth, strengthening peace and stability, as well as growth of prosperity in   the region.

In this context, new Silk Road can be considered as a renewed model of cooperation within the Eurasian region which will favour the development of the economy not only of Central Asia region, but of all countries situated along the axis China-Europe. Transport corridors from Asia to Europe including the ITC TRACECA should rank as prospective investment generator which will bring Central Asia nearer to the Old World. 

Within the Summit, Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between PS IGC TRACECA and SRCIC.

This Memorandum is the big step and fundamental basis in the process of strengthening cooperation between two institutional structures – PS IGC TRACECA and SRCIC. 

Signing of MoU could be considered as the opportunity towards new successes within Europe-the Caucasus-Asia region and to enable restoration of Silk Road platform and to contribute to the construction of One Belt-One Road Initiative.

The Summit has been getting good attention from the mainstream media in different languages, as China Radio International, CCTV News Broadcast, People`s Daily, Phoenix TV, Xinhua News Agency, China News Service.

It should be mentioned that in 2015, SRCIC was founded in Hong Kong as a result of joint efforts to answer the calls for the development of One Belt and One Road Initiative, and to advance its members' growth and prosperity by offering trade and investment opportunities. 

From the 36 founding members at its inauguration and the 81 country members today, SRCIC is gaining support from China and international business communities for its Silk Road spirit – peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit. With its continued expansion to serve as a bridge between corporations and governments, and between its members, SRCIC has become a vital strength in promoting the resilience of the world economy and in the construction of the Belt and Road.

One Belt and One Road Initiative is an open and inclusive platform for worldwide collaboration and interaction.