The second phase of CEEC Products Permanent Pavilion in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, is inaugurated in the city on May 15. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]

The second phase of the CEEC Products Permanent Pavilion in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, was inaugurated in the city on May 15.

The second phase has increased the total area of the pavilion to 32,000 square meters and the number of exhibition halls to 34. The pavilion displays nearly 5,000 products, including wine, food, cosmetics and handiworks, from Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) throughout the year.

Unlike the first phase, which exclusively focuses on commodity exhibition and trading, the second phase features facilities to create interactive and immersive consumption experiences for visitors.

Guo Tingting, vice-minister of commerce, Jiang Yu, special representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on China-CEEC cooperation, Lu Shan, vice-governor of Zhejiang, and Tang Feifan, mayor of Ningbo, attended the opening ceremony.

Tang addressed the ceremony, pointing out that China-CEEC economic and trade ties have been greatly strengthened over the past decade, and that Ningbo has become the top choice for CEEC companies looking to enter the Chinese market.

He expressed hope that governments, business associations and companies from CEECs will use the permanent pavilion as a platform to bring more quality goods into China.

In 2022, Ningbo's imports from CEECs amounted to 11.15 billion yuan ($1.62 billion), more than 9 times the value in 2016.

The third China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair is scheduled to be held in Ningbo from May 16 to 20.