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A brief introduction of the economic situation of countries along the region of the “Belt and Road Initiative”

  The following article will discuss the economies of countries located in areas along  “Belt and Road Initiative”. The analysis will include the national GDP, and the GDP per capita in 2013 of these countries. With the exception of India and Pakistan, all of these countries are either members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) .

  First, let us use Hong Kong as a basis for comparison. Hong Kong has a population of 7.18 million with a national GDP of $274 billion USD (same as below). This gives Hong Kong a per capita GDP of $38,124 USD. Hong Kong's economy is ranked 39th in the world and is considered to lie within the mid-level range. Looking at countries with larger populations such as China and India, China has a population of 1.36 billion, and India has a population of 1.25 billion. China has a national GDP of $9.24 trillion and a per capita GDP of $6,807. China is ranked as the second largest economy in the world. India’s economy is ranked 10th in the world, with a national GDP of $1.88 trillion and a per capita GDP of $1,498. Russia has a population of $143 million and a national GDP of $2.11 trillion. This gives Russia a per capita GDP of $14,612, almost double than that of China. ASEAN countries such as Indonesia has a total population of 249 million, a national GDP of $860.8 billion and a per capita GDP of $3,475. Pakistan’s economy is ranked 44th in the world, with a population of 177 million and a per capita GDP of  $1,342.

  Among ASEAN countries, there is a wide gap among national GDPs and per capita GDPs. For example, Singapore has a population of 5.4 million, with a national GDP of $297.94 billion. This gives Singapore a per capita GDP of $55,183, placing Singapore among the top economies in the world. Myanmar, in comparison, is a country that had a per capita GDP of just $887 in 2013. Other nations within ASEAN include Brunei, with a national GDP of $16.11 billion and a per capita GDP of $38,563. Cambodia has a national GDP of $15.24 billion and a per capita GDP of $1,007. Losa has a national GDP of $11.2 billion and a per capita GDP of $1,661. Malaysia has a national GDP of $313.15 billion and a per capita GDP of $10,538. The Philippines has a national GDP of $272.07 billion and a per capita GDP of $2,765.  Vietnam has a national GDP of $171.39 billion and a per capita GDP of $1,911. 

  Among the nations of the SCO, Kazakhstan has a national GDP of $231.9 billion and a per capita GDP of $13,611. Kyrgyzstan has a national GDP of $7.23 billion and a per capita GDP of $1,263. Tajikistan has a national GDP of $8.5 billion and a per capita GDP of $1,036. Uzbekistan has a national GDP of $56.8 billion and a per capita GDP of $1,878.

Any examples of economic activities of the “Belt and Road”countries?

Nation Economic Activities
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
China Agriculture, livestock farming, fishing industry, petroleum, mobile phones, electronic and computer products, heavy machinery, transportation equipment, ship-building.
Russia Petroleum, natural gas, metal, timber, nuclear facilities, machinery, transportation equipment.
Kazakhstan Petroleum, natural gas, metallurgy, coal mining, machinery, foodstuff.
Kyrgyzstan Livestock farming, agriculture, agro-processing, rare metals, ores.
Tajikistan Livestock farming, agriculture, aluminum, electricity, cement.
Uzbekistan Natural gas, coal, copper, silver, uranium.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Brunei Crude oil, natural gas, clothing.
Cambodia Garment, timber, agriculture.
Indonesia Petroleum, natural gas, electricity facilities, timber, rubber, textiles and garment.
Lao Timber, Benzoin, electricity.
Malaysia Petroleum, tin, rubber, palm oil, electronics, timber, wooden products.
Myanmar Agriculture, timber, jade, precious stones, metals
The Philippines Agriculture, food processing, textiles and garment.
Singapore Oil Refining, chemical industry, ship-building, electronics, machinery.
Thailand Rice, cane sugar, food processing, fishing industry, machinery and parts, precious stones.
Vietnam Crude oil, textiles, footwear, aquatic products, rice, electronics, coffee.
Other Nations
India Petroleum products, textiles, jewelry, chemicals, engineering equipment
Pakistan Computer software, textiles, carpets, cement, fertilizer, steel, ship-building, aviation.