More than 100 business representatives from 26 countries discussed the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing on Thursday.

"The business circle is the main force as well as the beneficiary of the initiative," Zhou Li, vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said in opening remarks at the Chinese-Foreign Business Dialogue.

The dialogue was held on the sidelines of the Asian Political Parties’ Special Conference on the Silk Road which takes place in Beijing until Friday within the framework of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

The business dialogue provides a platform for entrepreneurs along the Belt and Road to discuss issues related to the initiative, which will help build a better business environment, Zhou said.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Special Reporter of the ICAPP, said the Belt and Road initiative involves not only specific projects but also soft power. People-to-People exchanges including young people, business representatives and women should be promoted in developing the initiative, he said.

"The initiative will bring huge benefits to the countries along the Belt and Road especially Kazakhstan and we will improve our investment environment and help solve problems of the investors," Azat Peruashev, chairman of the Ak Zhol Democratic Party of Kazakhstan said.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, known as the Belt and Road Initiative, was put forward by President Xi Jinping during visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia in 2013.

Nabil A. Al Nuaim, president of Aramco Asia, said the business circle plays an important role in helping the government have a new understanding of sustainable economic development.

"The Belt and Road initiative has become an effective platform to promote the cooperation between governments and the business circle," he said.

Ruan Xiaoming, chairman of Gemsy New Group Stock Co., Ltd, said environmental protection should not be ignored during the economic development as there are many populous countries in Asia.

"Our development of the initiative should be sustainable to achieve a win-win situation for both the companies and the people," he said.