Literature Review on Belt and Road Initiative’s Integration for Trade Connectivity of Afghanistan

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) intends to expand connectivity between China and Eurasia by promoting economic integration through the development of new infrastructure, trade, cultural exchanges, energy projects, financial cooperation, tourism promotion, policy coordination, security cooperation, and creating economic zones. Economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and China have significantly improved during the past 20 years. The Afghan government sees BRI as a significant opportunity to transform its aid-dependent economy into one that is self-sufficient, stable, and reliable. However, there is still a significant lack of research on the effects of integrating the Belt and Road Initiative into Afghanistan’s economic context. This study attempts to look into any potential economic gains of BRI to increase trade connectivity in Afghanistan. Despite the importance of the BRI for both participants and the host country, several factors have been thoroughly examined in earlier studies in various contexts. These factors include Foreign Direct Investment, Gross Domestic Product, Transportation, logistics effectiveness, culture, Institutional Distance Stability, and Security. So, The key determinants of this study are the overview of BRI, opportunities, risks, trade connectivity, regional cooperation and diplomacy, foreign direct investment, trade openness, and political stability have all been thoroughly reviewed in the literature to be included in this article. These factors have an immediate impact on the trade connectivity and economic development of China and the other participating nations. Each of these factors is carefully examined in this article, which provides in-depth insights into the topic. In addition to setting the groundwork for further studies in this area, this study is expected to make a significant contribution to the academic literature on both a national and international level.