Pareto improvement of global inclusive growth: the “Belt and road” model

User Rating:  / 0
PoorBest 

Authors:


R. Zvarych, orcid.org/0000-0003-3741-2642, West Ukrainian National University, Ternopil, Ukraine, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Y. Wang, orcid.org/0009-0005-3091-5812, Jiuquan Vocational and Technical College, Jiuquan, People’s Republic of China; West Ukrainian National University, Ternopil, Ukraine; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

T. Dluhopolska*, orcid.org/0000-0003-1925-963X, West Ukrainian National University, Ternopil, Ukraine, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

O. Bulavynets, orcid.org/0009-0009-8695-5644, West Ukrainian National University, Ternopil, Ukraine, e-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

B. Kharkovskyi, orcid.org/0009-0006-4030-4991, West Ukrainian National University, Ternopil, Ukraine, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

* Corresponding author e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


повний текст / full article



Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu. 2025, (5): 208 - 217

https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2025-5/208



Abstract:



Purpose.
Establishing the link between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and inclusive growth, taking into account the concept of Pareto improvement.


Methodology.
The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis with qualitative evaluation, to assess how the BRI influences inclusive growth at national and regional levels.


Findings.
Existing research shows a growing intersection between inclusive growth theory and the economic effects of the BRI. Empirical results suggest that BRI participation is associated with shifts in GDP, inequality, trade volume, infrastructure investment, and social development. However, benefits of the BRI initiative are unevenly distributed across regions. Case studies also demonstrate significant variation in economic impact depending on the region. Thematic studies reveal regional differences: for instance, Kazakhstan, Southeast Asian, and African countries report varying outcomes depending on project scale, sector, and governance. Comparisons between BRI and non-BRI countries suggest higher gains for the former, though the results represent optimistic estimates rather than guarantees of Pareto optimality.


Originality.
This study introduces a unique framework by interpreting the BRI as a model of inclusive globalization rooted in Pareto improvement. In contrast to traditional development models, the BRI is positioned as a mechanism fostering open, inclusive, fair, balanced and mutually beneficial economic globalisation. The study offers a new perspective, according to which the BRI initiative improves the welfare of participating countries without worsening the economic situation of other states. Thus, the Belt and Road Initiative is seen as a global mechanism for achieving Pareto improvement, promoting inclusive growth without compromising third parties.


Practical value.
The work has practical value due to its evaluating the BRI through the lens of Pareto improvement, highlighting its potential in promoting global inclusive growth. Based on empirical data and real-life examples, the study demonstrates how the initiative contributes to economic development, the reduction of regional disparities, and international cooperation. Importantly, these benefits are achieved without harming any participating country, making the initiative an example of mutually beneficial economic integration and an effective policy tool for global development.



Keywords:
inclusive growth, Pareto improvement, community, Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), China

References.


1. Shahriar, S. (2019). The Belt and Road Initiative: What will China offer the world in its rise. Asian Journal of Political Science, 27(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/02185377.2019.1594324

2. Yu, J., & Wallace, J. (2021). What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? Chatham House. Retrieved from https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/09/what-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-bri

3. Georgescu, A. (2017). Critical infrastructure protection, instrument and opportunity for the Belt and Road Initiative. D. Dimitrijević & H. Ping (Eds.), Initiatives of the ‘New Silk Road’: Achievements and challenges. Belgrade. Retrieved from http://www.eppi-online.com/2017/06/08/silk-road-with-detours/

4. Calabrese, L., Jenkins, R., & Lombardozzi, L. (2024). The Belt and Road Initiative and dynamics of structural transformation. European Journal of Development Research, 36(3), 515-547. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-024-00644-x

5. Kushbakova, S. (2017). The Inclusive Growth and Development ­Report 2017. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/39466235/The_Inclusive_Growth_and_Development_Report_2017_iii

6. Dluhopolskyi, O., & Zhukovska, A. (2023). Inclusive development as an instrument to overcome economic inequality and discrimination. Economics ‒ Innovative and Economics Research Journal, 11(1), 11-27. https://doi.org/10.2478/eoik-2023-0016

7. Zhukovska, A., & Zheliuk, T. (2025). Inclusive development of territorial communities in the conditions of war and post-war reconstruction. Herald of Economics, (4), 24-45. https://doi.org/10.35774/visnyk2024.04.024

8. Sanders, M. (2021). The problem with Pareto. King’s College London. Retrieved from https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/the-problem-with-pareto

9. Zhu, H. (2023). Pareto improvement: A GRA perspective. IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems, 10(3), 1241-1251. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCSS.2022.3157608

10.      Bento, G. C., Cruz Neto, J. X., Meireles, L. V., & Soubeyran, A. (2022). Pareto solutions as limits of collective traps: an inexact multiobjective proximal point algorithm. Annals of Operations Research, 316, 1425-1443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-022-04719-y

11.      Dalamagas, B., Leventides, J., & Tantos, S. (2022). The equity-efficiency conflict: Improving Pareto’s optimality doctrine. Theoretical Economics Letters, 12, 980-1006. https://doi.org/10.4236/tel.2022.124054

12.      Kiktenko, V. O. (2017). “One Belt, One Road” – China’s global geoeconomic project. Sinology in Ukraine. Retrieved from https://sinologist.com.ua/odin-poyas-odin-shlyah-globalnij-geoekonomichnij-proekt-kitayu/

13.      Barman, J. (2023). China’s Belt and Road Initiative: an analysis. Journal of Contemporary Politics, 2(3), 97-102. https://doi.org/10.53989/jcp.v2i3.23.11

14.      Wang, H., & Hu, A. (2017). Inclusive growth and international comparison: A perspective of economic growth and human development. International Economic Review, (4), 42-55. Retrieved from https://caod.oriprobe.com/issues/1751256/toc.htm

15.      Han, M.-C. (2014). How social network characteristics affect users’ trust and purchase intention. International Journal of Business and Management, 9(8), 122-132. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v9n8p122

16.      Wang, Y., & Zvarych, R. (2024). Optimize the Allocation of International Resource under ‘the Belt and Road’ Framework Strategy Research”. Herald of Economics, 2, 42-57. https://doi.org/10.35774/visnyk2024.02.042

17.      Zvarych, R., & Wang, Y. (2024). Research on the challenges and countermeasures faced by the Belt and Road Initiative. Innovative Economy, 2, 5-14. https://doi.org/10.37332/2309-1533.2024.2.1

18.      Wang, Y. (2025). Research on China-Ukraine foreign trade cooperation under the perspective of the “Belt and Road” initiative. International Scientific Journal “Internauka”: Economic Sciences, 4.
https://doi.org/10.25313/2520-2294-2025-4-10937

19.      Wang, Y., & Zvarych, R. (2024). Artificial Intelligence as Promoting Effect on International Economic Relations. Journal of Intelligence and Knowledge Engineering, 2(2), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.62517/jike.202404201

20.      China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Investment Report 2024. Retrieved from https://greenfdc.org/china-belt-and-road-initiative-bri-investment-report-2024/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

21.      United Nations Development Programme (2024). Human development report 2023–24: Breaking the gridlock ‒ Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world. Retrieved from https://hdr.undp.org/content/human-development-report-2023-24

22.      Xiao, Y. (2019). Construction of the Belt and Road Initiative in Chinese and American media: A critical discourse analysis based on self-built corpora. International Journal of English Linguistics, 9(3), 68-76. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v9n3p68

23.      World Bank (2018). Belt and Road Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/regional-integration/brief/belt-and-road-initiative

24.      China’s Economic Report (2025). Retrieved from
https://www.sinoptic.ch/embassy/textes/eco/20250710_China.Annual.economic.report.pdf

25.      Moon, J., Park, J., & Park, S. (2024). Cooperation or conflict in Northeast Asia? An approach of NARCI (Northeast Asia Regional Cooperation Index). Asia and the Global Economy, 4(2), 100089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aglobe.2024.100089

26.      Astana International Financial Centre (2025). AIFC general presentation. Retrieved from https://aifc.kz/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/aifc-general-presentation-2025.pdf

27.      National Development and Reform Commission (2025). Report on the implementation of the 2024 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2025 draft plan for national economic and social development: Third session of the 14 th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China. Retrieved from https://npcobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-NDRC-Report_NON-FINAL_EN.pdf

28.      Yang, Y. (2025). China reports robust trade, investment with Belt and Road countries. Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved from https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/p/03I0C2RB.html

29.      Nedopil, C. (2024). China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investment report 2023. Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University: Green Finance & Development Center, FISF Fudan University. https://doi.org/10.25904/1912/5140

30.      Wang, Z. (2024). China’s Digital Silk Road (DSR) in Southeast Asia: Progress and Challenges. ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Perspective. Retrieved from https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ISEAS_Perspective_2024_1.pdf

 

Guest Book

If you have questions, comments or suggestions, you can write them in our "Guest Book"

Registration data

ISSN (print) 2071-2227,
ISSN (online) 2223-2362.
Journal was registered by Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
Registration number КВ No.17742-6592PR dated April 27, 2011.

Contacts

D.Yavornytskyi ave.,19, pavilion 3, room 24-а, Dnipro, 49005
Tel.: +38 (066) 379 72 44.
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You are here: Home Authors and readers terms of subscription EngCat Archive 2025 Content №5 2025 Pareto improvement of global inclusive growth: the “Belt and road” model