The Belt and Road Initiative is a new engine of global economic growth, a German analyst told China Daily in an exclusive interview.

Frank-Jurgen Richter, founder and chairman of Swiss think tank Horasis, said, "The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will help to illustrate the initiative's impact and success, and the forum will be highly important in terms of its participation, depth of dialogue and contracts being signed."

It will bring more clarity and understanding of the progress and purpose of the initiative to the many attendees, Richter said. "We might see more evidence of good, incidental benefits that are beginning to blossom along the routes."

The Belt and Road Initiative helps local governments and businesses seeing opportunities for greater economic co-operation and bringing more wealth to local communities, he added.

Italy has become the first G7 country to endorse the Belt and Road Initiative in a big way, "Many Italian companies will benefit from the agreement," Richter said.

"We are now starting to see the huge impact of the initiative," he said.

There is a great potential to stimulate regional connectivity across many sectors to embrace a brighter future, he added.