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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 14-- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was formulated with economic development agenda through increased connectivity, infrastructure and capacity building, according to academics and experts at a conference here on Wednesday. Speaking at the New Inclusive Asia Dialogue, multiple experts said BRI, as a flexible economic oriented initiative, stood in contrast with attempts by certain country to piece together its own trade network, which was described as being focused on political agendas. Dr S Mahmud Ali, an associate fellow with the University of Malaya's Institute of China Studies, said countries like Malaysia, which aspired to reach developed nation status, had recognized the real gains to be had from participation in BRI. Mahmud said once several on-going BRI related projects were completed in the country, the country's economic capacity would be greatly boosted. Malaysia does play a significant role and substantial amounts of Chinese investments funding projects will boost Malaysia's productivity, total production capacity, its ability to export and produce good that will rise quite dramatically once these projects are completed, he said. Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, which aims at building trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road. | 
