One Belt One Road initiative needs to focus on broader aspects of development: Devamany

KUALA LUMPUR: The One Belt One Road (Obor) initiative should not only focus on global infrastructure and trade development but also include the wider aspects of development, says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri S. K. Devamany (pix).
He said this included identifying and developing projects which helped advance maritime-related industries which were strongly underpinned by elements of sustainable development.
"I believe maritime infrastructure and port development go hand-in-hand with efforts to ensure the ocean ecosystems are well preserved," he said in his keynote address at the International Conference on Belt and Road Initiative here today.
Devamany hoped China and Malaysia would identify and develop commercial arrangements under the Obor and also ensure the preservation and better management of the health of oceans.
The two-day conference themed 'Expanding Cooperation and Addressing Gaps' will serve as platform for international and local experts to analyse the Obor policy, visions and strategic goals from the Chinese, Southeast Asian and European perspectives.
Also present were Maritime Institute of Malaysia (Mima) chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor and director-general Datuk Chin Yoon Chin.
Earlier in his speech, Ahmad Ramli said there were challenges in achieving the desired objectives from Obor, including those on the geo-political situation, but added it was important to secure a win-win outcome and adopt a holistic approach towards them.
"Mima and our international partner, China Institute of International and Strategic Studies for this conference will examine the various issues and opportunities involved as a means to move forward, and how regional countries can reap the benefits of this initiative.
"The final outcome hopefully would guide China and its Obor partners to address gaps and explore opportunities to promote mutual benefits," he said. — Bernama