Nations across the Middle East and North Africa have been keen to participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Railways, ports, roads, power projects and even smart cities have all seen significant Chinese investment. The region forms an important part of China’s trade route jigsaw, with the Gulf in particular a strategic crossroads, while its oil and LNG remain crucial to fulfilling China’s energy requirements.

The Belt and Road Initiative has been hit first by geopolitical tensions and then by the pandemic. But, as our new reports shows, China’s pivot towards a more sustainable Belt and Road, with more emphasis on greener projects and the Digital and Health Silk Roads, has renewed its potential to help MENA nations meet their infrastructure and development needs, as well as offering many new opportunities for regional businesses and investors.