Strategic alliance: The contribution of the “Belt and Road Initiative” to easing trade restrictions for Afghanistan

Abstract

Afghanistan and most developing, landlocked countries must prioritize regional diplomacy and make strategic alliances to eliminate economic difficulties and create opportunities for trade, partnerships, and markets that will encourage further integration. This research aims to identify workable value chains for integration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and evaluate their suitability by considering their potential volume. This research investigates how BRI is decreasing trade restrictions and increasing connectivity through the use of quantitative techniques and a survey research approach. The research results demonstrate that BRI can have a major impact on Afghanistan's economic situation, particularly with trade volume, trade restrictions, diplomacy, negotiations, and implementation of such kinds of projects. The Initiative has the potential to significantly reduce trade restrictions, and challenges, and enhance trade connectivity by utilizing significant infrastructure investments and investment in Afghanistan. However, security risks and political concerns prevent the BRI from achieving maximum connectivity in this country. This study contributes to thoughtful strategic alliances such as BRI can facilitate Afghanistan's trade connectivity, sustainable development, and economic integration by giving stakeholders and policymakers useful data to accomplish opportunities and know obstacles.