From a presence in five countries to 37 pavilions—a decade has woven the "Silk Road Tapestry" of Central and Eastern European products

 

 

Walking through the Central and Eastern European Specialty Commodities Perennial Pavilion (hereinafter referred to as the "Pavilion"), one is surrounded by enticing aromas of bread, rich coffee scents, and the graceful fragrance of roses, creating the sensation of wandering in distant and captivating foreign streets.

This 32,000-square-meter Pavilion now brings together over 70 dedicated traders from the Ningbo Free Trade Zone, 37 themed pavilions, and more than 5,000 distinctive products. It has become a landmark where locals can explore the cultural allure of Central and Eastern Europe without traveling abroad, witnessing the thriving growth of trade and economic collaboration between China and these nations.

 

 

Central and Eastern European Specialty Commodities Perennial Pavilion

 

 

In June 2015, the Central and Eastern European Specialty Commodities Perennial Pavilion settled in Ningbo Import Commodity Center. Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and two other Central and Eastern European countries' commerce pavilions were the first to open.

"Ningbo demonstrates significant potential for economic and trade cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe." In 2015, Fang Yu, General Manager of Ningbo Huaou International Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., resigned from her position as a teacher at the Confucius Institute in Slovakia and moved to Ningbo to start a business. She transitioned into an importer of Central and Eastern European goods, becoming one of the first merchants to participate in the Central and Eastern European Specialty Commodities Annual Pavilion.

The logistical advantages of Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the regulatory support of the Ningbo Free Trade Zone, and the exhibition platform provided by the Pavilion... Fang Yu believes that by anchoring her "second enterprise"—the Central and Eastern European import business—to Ningbo, she has unlocked widespread opportunities for numerous exceptional products from Central and Eastern Europe that were previously undiscovered.

Over the past decade, Fang Yu commenced with beer trading and progressively expanded the business to include a diverse range of categories such as Bulgarian honey, Slovakian grape juice, and Romanian wine. Currently, she is dedicated to constructing a bidirectional economic and trade bridge to foster deeper economic and trade collaboration between the two regions.

"Central and Eastern European products have garnered a significant following in China due to their unique characteristics and affordability, with the Pavilion serving as the premier platform for Chinese consumers to discover and appreciate exceptional Central and Eastern European goods," Fang Yu said.

 

 

 Fang Yu (center) engages in dialogue with merchants

 

 

Leveraging the global network of Ningbo Zhoushan Port, Ningbo has established itself as the prime location for economic and trade collaboration between China and Central and Eastern European nations. As a leading contributor to the import of Central and Eastern European products within both the city and the province, Beilun District recorded imports and exports of CNY7.87 billion with Central and Eastern European countries from January to May this year, reflecting a 4.4% year-on-year growth.

This statistic exemplifies numerous enterprises utilizing Ningbo's port infrastructure and favorable policies to successfully introduce distinctive products from Central and Eastern Europe into the domestic market.

The raw wool first sheared in Serbia is transported to China, processed in Chinese factories into yarn, and then sent back to the hands of Serbian craftsmen. Ultimately, it is woven into scarves and shawls reflecting oriental aesthetics and displayed in the booth on the second floor of the Pavilion.

This extensive industrial chain spanning thousands of miles represents the solution Fang Shen, a Central and Eastern European goods importer, discovered within the Pavilion.

"Initially, we only imported ready-to-wear garments from Serbia, but found their traditional styles faced limited acceptance in the Chinese market," Fang Shen shared with reporters. During a matchmaking event in the Pavilion, he and his Serbian collaborators devised the concept of "China-Serbia collaborative production": leveraging China's advanced textile technology for spinning yarn, Serbian artisans preserving traditional weaving craftsmanship, and ultimately, adapting the designs to align with oriental preferences.

"These innovations allow our products to gain greater competitiveness in the market," said Fang Shen.

 

 

Various Serbian scarves and shawls displayed in the Pavilion

 

 

Thanks to the resource integration of the Pavilion, this "transnational project" has been successfully implemented: Ningbo Customs, Commerce Bureau, and other institutions have supported it to simplify customs clearance processes for goods; the platform organizes various trade negotiation activities and provides information resources, enabling Fang Shen to more quickly grasp market trends and adjust business strategies effectively.

"Additionally, the Pavilion assists us in connecting with renowned domestic exhibitions, providing increased brand exposure opportunities, entering the national market, and gradually exploring international markets," Fang Shen explained. Furthermore, subsidies and allowances are provided to alleviating operational pressures.

Over a ten-year transformation from an "exhibition" to a "pavilion," this venue has transcended being a simple trade platform, becoming a vital link for cultural exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries.

"Ten years ago, we merely brought goods in; now, we are constructing a bridge for mutual circulation between China and Central and Eastern European countries," stated the person in charge of the Central and Eastern European Specialty Commodities Perennial Pavilion.

 

 

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