The 2016 Silk Road Economic Belt- Xinjiang Karamay Forum concluded in the oil city of Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Aug 11. Around 400 leading figures from the governments of 11 countries, as well as representatives from businesses and think-tanks took part in the highly successful forum.

Seven sub-forums were also held to push ahead communication and cooperation between China and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative regions. Discussions on energy cooperation, manufacturing and information technology were the highlights of the forum.

The agreements achieved during the forum represent an increase from previous years, from 20 memorandums of understanding (MOU) valued at 10.35 billion yuan ($1.62 billion) in 2015, to 28 agreements worth around 62.57 billion yuan ($9.43 billion) this year. The projects involve cooperation in the fields of finance, construction, environmental protection, and the technology industry.

Zhang Hongyan, mayor of Karamay, hosted the closing ceremony. Notable speeches were given by Essam Sharaf, the former prime minister of Egypt, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, secretary-general of the Pakistan Muslim League and Saleem Mandviwalla, the former Pakistani minister of finance.

The 2017 Silk Road Economic Belt- Xinjiang Karamay Forum is expected to be held in Pakistan with new delegates in attendance.

The closing ceremony is held in the oil city of Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Aug 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhang Hongyan, mayor of Karamay, gives the concluding speech. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Delegates from different countries attended the closing ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]