Executive summary

Connectivity, both among institutions within the global financial system and among countries, is an integral part of globalisation and a key component of how complex societies operate in their quest to become more productive. This year’s Outlook addresses connectivity, both among institutions within the global financial system and among countries. With respect to the latter, the Outlook looks at the increasing weight of China in the global economy. It examines, in particular, the impact of the international development strategy known as the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) on China’s global trade and investment partners and the policy approaches that would help to broaden out its benefits to the whole global economy.