Ningbo China-CEEC Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone achieves remarkable growth

Ningbo, Zhejiang province has played a pivotal role in advancing economic collaboration within the China-Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) partnership.

According to Ningbo Customs, the Ningbo China-CEEC Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone reported a 12.7 percent year-on-year trade growth with CEEC, totaling 46.26 billion yuan ($6.5 billion) during the Jan-Nov period.

The Ningbo China-CEEC Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone is the only demonstration zone in China that focuses on the promotion of trade and economic cooperation with CEEC. Since its establishment in 2018, it has accumulated a total of 205.26 billion yuan in trade with the countries, achieving an average annual import growth rate of 42.3 percent. 

These impressive achievements have also brought an air of cheerful confidence to foreign trade companies in Ningbo.

Chen Yi, general manager of Ningbo Dijia Vida Trading Co Ltd, is busy promoting products from CEEC at exhibitions, including the China International Import Expo (CIIE), China Yiwu Imported Commodities Fair, and World Food and Agricultural Expo. This year, she added another product – handmade lollipops from Romania – to the exhibits.

"The Romanian lollipops, featuring cute shapes, are made using traditional techniques. The colors are extracted from fruits and plants, making them healthy and delicious. The product was popular among both customers and dealers during its debut at the CIIE. That's why we've immediately placed another order for a container of the lollipops," said Chen.

Chen plans to build a factory that integrates the production of rose products and tourism services in Ningbo with her Bulgarian friends. 

Since the establishment of the zone, Ningbo Customs has also improved its customs facilitation services. It launched an online platform called the China-CEEC Customs Information Center with more than 14,000 articles of information related to customs policy updates and clearance guidelines.

This year, a mobile platform was launched to offer a one-stop service for foreign trade companies. People can use their smartphones to ask about policies and regulations, and deal with approval procedures and customs declaration.