ANKARA, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) promotes peace and stability and constitutes a "road map" for regional dialogue and trade, a Turkish NGO chief has said.
The BRI is a future-oriented road map that will contribute to the prosperity of our children and grand children, Akkan Suver, chairman of Turkey's leading NGO Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation, said in an interview with Xinhua.
Hailing the BRI as the "project and the philosophy of the century," Suver also said the initiative aims to connect regions and nations, bringing them together for a common partnership from which all parties are to benefit.
"I truly believe that the Belt and Road project will be the road of stability, trade and interconnectivity," said Suver.
The BRI, proposed by China in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and seeks to revive ancient land and sea trade routes to connect China and participating states via win-win trade exchanges, joint investments and infrastructure projects for multilateral development.
Since its inception, the BRI has delivered a lot in terms of connectivity, investment, trade, and cultural exchanges. A network of motorways, railways, airports, and ports has increased the connections among BRI partners with much-needed investment from China.
With trade and other economic activities being enhanced among BRI partners, the initiative has also helped the ailing global growth.
In the interview, Suver called on Chinese companies to invest more in Turkey, adding that his country has wholeheartedly welcomed the BRI.
"Turkey, I believe, will not be a mere actor in this project. It will be an important station with its know-how and its experienced manpower," said Suver.
Suver said more cooperation between Turkey and China could be achieved in fields including energy, communications, infrastructure, etc.
He particularly stressed the potential of a cooperation between Turkish firms and China's technology giant Huawei.
The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is scheduled to open in Beijing in late April. Representatives from over 100 countries, including about 40 government leaders, have confirmed their attendance.
During the upcoming BRI forum, Suver believes it is necessary to emphasize the need for participant countries to promote understanding of the China-proposed initiative to younger generations.
