ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to use the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) to examine the first lustrum of overall development in the Belt and Road regions, especially to compare them with non-Belt and Road regions. Research light is also shed on exploring different sub-indices that reflect the various aspects of development and on explaining how economies or firms can best position themselves to tap various business and investment opportunities in a highly turbulent and fragile economic environment. It is hoped that some insightful policy implications or recommendations can be drawn from this research to further enhance economic development in the Belt and Road regions in the next lustrum.
