Three entrepreneurs from Ningbo, Zhejiang province pose for a photo on the sidelines of the first China-Italy Third Party Market Cooperation Forum in Rome on March 22. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Entrepreneurs from Ningbo, Zhejiang province expressed their ideas on furthering communications and cooperation with Italy at a China-Italy forum in Rome on March 22.

Zheng Yonggang, chairman of Shanshan Group Co Ltd, Mao Jianhong, chairman of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Group Co and Li Rucheng, chairman of Youngor Group Co Ltd attended the first China-Italy Third Party Market Cooperation Forum and had talks with Italian counterparts on how to push forward bilateral collaboration in the future.

The forum was designed to better involve Italy in the development of China's Belt and Road Initiative, and help the two countries further promote third-party market expansion. Representatives from over 60 Chinese and Italian companies shared insights on cooperation opportunities in the fields of infrastructure, energy, finance and manufacturing.

Ningbo has been benefiting from the friendship with Italy for many years as garment companies in the city have established close business ties with Italian partners.

Li said China's fashion industry wouldn't have developed so fast without the frequent exchanges and cooperation with the European country. He recalled that when Youngor set up its first suit factory 25 years ago, they sent a large group of staff members to Italy for training and investigation. Italian experts and equipment played active roles in the development path of the Chinese garment giant.

Shanshan also commenced cooperative ties with Italy two decades ago. The Ningbo company introduced advanced assembly lines from Italy and launched two international brands in 2001 and 2005 in collaboration with Italian enterprises.

Shanshan's chairman Zheng said with the advancement of Belt and Road Initiative, they will further partner up with Italian peers in the future to jointly develop Chinese, Italian and third-party markets.

In addition to the garment industry, Ningbo is seeking more cooperation opportunities with Italy in other sectors such as life sciences, auto parts and equipment manufacturing.