Analysis of the “Trans-European Transport Network” and the “Belt and Road Initiative” as Large-Scale Infrastructure Investment Policies for Infrastructure Development in EU-CEEC

Abstract

Infrastructure is an essential component for economic growth of countries and provides other positive effects. To benefit from these effects and to avoid non- or under-provision of infrastructure within their countries and regions, governments and supranational bodies introduce infrastructure policies which boost infrastructure investment. In the EU, the importance of infrastructure has been recognised. However, European central and eastern European countries lack behind other EU Member States in their transport infrastructure development. To cure their demand and to close the gap, these countries have increasingly involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched by the Chinese government in 2013 as well as they are targeted by the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), as a European policy, which is involved in transport infrastructure establishment within these countries. The analysis of both policies under the consideration of project definition and scope, regional participation, private sector involvement opportunities, investment volume as well as funding and financing demonstrated that there are differences between both policies. While the BRI is still evolving and open for participation and active shaping of the outcome, which could be an opportunity for EU-CEEC, the TEN-T sets clear goals and provides throughout planning along all criteria, which may allow for clear assessment of the outcome.