Ningbo strengthens global trade expansion through exhibitions

Hordes of folks throng to a busy Ningbo overseas exhibition. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Ningbo is boosting its foreign trade, with stronger policies aimed at helping businesses expand internationally.

The city's commerce bureau and finance bureau recently unveiled an upgraded support system for overseas exhibitions in 2025, significantly increasing key events and raising financial assistance levels.

The number of major international exhibitions has grown by 72 percent, jumping from 100 to 172 across 45 countries and regions – including Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN and Africa.

Additionally, financial subsidies for exhibition fees have risen by 10 percentage points, while the annual subsidy cap per company is now 300,000 yuan ($41,474).

The policy shift emphasizes a dual-markets strategy — strengthening ties with traditional markets while aggressively expanding into emerging markets. Over 60 percent of the newly supported exhibitions target regions like Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America, where trade barriers are lower and demand is growing.

Local businesses are already reaping the benefits. Ningbo Jumu Lighting Co secured a major United Kingdom retail client at the Birmingham Spring Consumer Goods Exhibition, while Ningbo Huahe Knitwear Co anticipates a 15 percent order increase from five emerging-market trade shows.

Among the 2,859 key export enterprises based in the city, more than 80 percent have reformulated or adjusted their global exhibition road maps from the second half of this year to 2026.