PHNOM PENH, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said Friday that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plays an important role in promoting connectivity, which is a key element to boost trade among countries.

"The BRI can help enhance connectivity, which is fundamental to serve goods transport from one country to another," he said at the #ConnectCambodia Forum: Unlocking Opportunities in E-Trade.

"The BRI offers opportunities to countries for shared benefits, and it can make the whole world connected," he said.

Pauline Tamesis, resident representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Cambodia, agreed that the Belt and Road Initiative was vital to promote connectivity and provided mutual benefits.

"For the BRI, we see this as an unique opportunity for investment in infrastructure to connect most of the countries under the ancient Silk Road," she said.

Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.