China Minsheng Investment Group, the nation's leading private investment firm, is partnering with a renowned university to broaden a global talent pool to support the Belt and Road Initiative.

With the funding of CMIG, 15 participants from the Belt and Road Initiative-CMIG-Tsinghua Pilot Program for Indonesian Entrepreneurs will start classes at Tsinghua School of Economics and Management in July.

They are either founders or senior executives of Indonesian enterprises in such fields as agriculture, manufacturing, trade and services.

It is part of CMIG's 10-year pledge of 100 million yuan ($15 million) to fund the studies of Indonesian managers in China seeking investment opportunities. The participants expect to spend 10 days deepening their understanding of business and culture in China, and networking with local entrepreneurs.

Experts said local business leaders have become indispensable to the success of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Qin Jian, senior assistant president of China Minsheng Investment Group, told a press conference that local staff played a decisive role in facilitating companies' efforts in investing abroad safely and sustainably.

"Indonesia is CMIG's first destination to go out and establish a foothold for long-term sustainable business. Skilled staff will be of core importance to our success in Indonesia," Qin said.

"That's why we are working with Tsinghua University to cultivate local staff, to better manage cross-border projects."

The program is the first of its kind in developing skilled staff, sponsored by a private company in China and carried out by a world-class prestigious institute after the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative, Qin added.

Jin Qianxian, deputy secretary general of Tsinghua University, said he hoped participants could make more of a contribution to enhancing communications and business dealings between China and Indonesia.

Izmir Eka Wijaya Putera, who took courses last year, said that thanks to the program he had not only gained in-depth knowledge of Chinese culture and history, but also understood the wisdom of collaboration with ASEAN countries.

"In short, it's easier for me to understand how Chinese companies think and what they want," he said, who is chief operating officer at PT Madani Sisfotel, an e-commerce company in Indonesia.

In 2015, CMIG, as a leading international financial institution, teamed up with over 20 privately run companies to build an industrial park in Indonesia, and several projects are now in the pipeline.

jingshuiyu@chinadaily.com.cn