Funds worth 104 million yuan ($15.11 million) were invested in projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative in 2016, as part of an effort to attract more professionals to Shanxi and encourage international trade, according to Shanxi Provincial Department of Finance.

The Shanxi branch of the China Export & Credit Insurance Co offered a special fund worth 47.6 million yuan to local export companies, reducing their risks when conducting international trade.

Taiyuan Wusu Free Trade Zone was listed as eligible for government subsidies with the establishment of an international e-commerce platform.

In addition, the local government set up a scholarship fund of 1 million yuan at six universities in a bid to attract more foreign students to further their studies and advance cooperation between Shanxi and countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.