Belt and Road Initiative has great global influence: Argenti

BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has greater global influence every day and Argentina wants to participate to improve infrastructure and trade, Argentine Ambassador to China Diego Ramiro Guelar said on Tuesday.

More than a regional initiative, it is significant to the global economy and has attracted many Latin American countries, Guelar said in an interview with Xinhua.

According to the ambassador, Argentina will channel more energy into developing its energy and transport mix for the next 30 years, which is directly linked to partnership with China and participation in the initiative.

"China has big companies and rich experience to push forward development in railways, roads, water conservation and energy in Argentina," Guelar said.

Argentine president Mauricio Macri will attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing this month. Guelar disclosed that the president will announce Argentina's participation into the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank during his visit.

Founded at the end of 2015, the multilateral lender is expected to play a significant role in supporting the initiative.

The Belt and Road Initiative aims to become a transnational network to facilitate trade and investment and promote common development among all countries involved.

Data from the Ministry of Commerce showed China has become Argentina's second largest trading partner in 2016 and the largest market for Argentine agricultural products.

Guelar also expressed his confidence in cooperation of other areas, ranging from agricultural technology and mining to tourism and football, and hopes more Chinese private companies can increase investment in Argentina.