BEIJING — Multilateral development institution the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is targeting Europe to expand infrastructure construction financing, as it is a significant region included in the Belt and Road Initiative, a senior executive of the bank told China Daily in a recent interview.
Although the AIIB has not yet announced any investment strategies in Europe, “we can and it could make sense for us, especially (for the projects) connecting with Asia,” said Joachim Amsberg, vice-president of the AIIB, illustrating that some possible projects in Europe could be ports and railways.
According to the senior AIIB executive, Austria recently has shown interest in railway lines from Central Europe to Asia, and the AIIB “could possibly invest in that, but there is no specific plan at this stage”.
The bank will hold its first annual meeting outside Asia, starting on Friday. AIIB chose Luxembourg as the host, which was the first European country to sign up as an AIIB founding member in 2015.
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“Luxembourg, even though it is a small country, is important on the finance map. It is a very welcome opportunity to go to Europe and engage more European banks, investors and governments,” said Amsberg.
One of the key issues that members will discuss at the annual meeting is strengthening Asia-Europe cooperation, the AIIB announced on its website. The theme of the annual meeting is “connectivity and collaboration”.
