Ningbo, 22 May 2025 (MIA) - This visit is exceptionally important for the companies exhibiting their products here, but also all other Central and Eastern European countries. China is our fourth-largest trade partner, and we believe that the exhibition of 14 Macedonian companies at this stand will increase the interest for exports of Macedonian products and goods to the Chinese market, Deputy Minister of Economy and Labor Marjan Risteski told MIA on Thursday at the 4th China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair in Ningbo. 

According to MIA’s reporter in Ningbo, the Deputy Minister had a meeting with Vice Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative Ling Ji which focused on talks for greater presence of Macedonian products in the People’s Republic of China, but also about boosting the number of Chinese tourists in the country and new potential Chinese investments. 

“I hope that the big deficit we have with the People’s Republic of China will be smaller in the future, in the interest of our companies when it comes to exporting our products. China is most interested in infrastructure investments, in energy, green economy and new technologies. The current investments we have from China are the factory in the economic zone in Kichevo, the construction of the Miladinovci – Shtip roads, and the construction of the Kichevo – Ohrid road. We have also previously had investments in the construction of the Kozjak hydropower plant, but we believe that greater investments will follow in the coming period,” Risteski said.  

The 4th China-CEEC Expo was opened by Chinese state councilor Shen Yiqin, and it was also addressed by the Speaker of the Slovak Parliament, Richard Raši, and the Deputy Speaker of the Slovenian Parliament, Meira Hot.

State councilor Shen highlighted the achievements in cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and CEEC, as well as China’s intentions to continue intensifying cooperation despite global changes, especially in transport, trade, investments, technology, and the exchange of experiences. 

“We encourage businesses from both sides to cooperate,” Shen said, highlighting PR China’s potential as the second-largest market in the world.

PR China’s cooperation with countries from Central and Eastern Europe dates from 2012. Apart from North Macedonia, CEEC includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Photo: MIA