DPM Lazović visits China: Cooperation between China and CEEC in ininvestment and trade-chance for economic growth and development

Ningbo, China (8 June 2015) -- Deputy Prime Minister Vujica Lazović and Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs Ivan Brajović participated in the ceremony establishing the initiative  the China - Central and Eastern Countries (CEEC) Investment and Trade EXPO Guest House Foundation initiative. 

Addressing the meeting, DPM Marković emphasised the importance of the event for the CEEC economies.

"The sixteen countries, including Montenegro, will have the opportunity to have permanent presentations of investment and trade cooperation between the CEEC and China. For the Montenegrin economy and business people, the exhibition space is a great opportunity for promoting investment, products and services," DPM Lazović pointed out.

Ningbo, nearly 7000 year old history with over 5 million people, is the capital of Zheijiang, one of the most economically developed provinces and the fourth biggest port in the world. Gross domestic product of Ningbo amounted to 123 billion dollars in 2014.

DPM Lazović and Transport Minister Ivan Brajović also took part in the China - CEE Forum on Cooperation Development, sponsored by the city of Ningbo.

As one of main speakers at the Forum’s opening ceremony, DPM Lazović stressed the importance of investment and trade cooperation between China and the CEE countries.

"Montenegro’s active participation in the initiative has been identified through its serious and responsible attitude and through creating opportunities for investment and trade exchange with the fastest growing world economies" he noted.

Addressing the audience composed of senior officials of China and the CEE countries, the Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister underlined that having Chinese investors engaged with Montenegro's current economic development is of great significance for the country and he singled out projects in which Montenegro recognises the participation of Chinese investors, namely the valuation of the Port of Bar and Bar- Belgrade railway.

Role of Ningbo in strengthening cooperation between China and CEE countries is reflected through providing advantages for business people from those countries, such as  organisation of investment and trade fairs, free stalls and subsidy for each booth, paid costs and organisation of trade fairs for specific goods coming from CEE countries, facilitated procedures for import of products from CEE countries, supporting companies from Ningbo to invest in CEE countries, promotion of CEE countries’ tourist offer before Chinese tour operators, subsidising artistic groups from CEE countries, providing scholarships for students from CEE countries, etc.

DPM LazoviĆ and Minister Brajovic also met with member of the State Council Yang Jiechi, who stressed China’s commitment to the cooperatio initiative.

Deputy Prime Minister Lazović pointed out that China’s Land-silk road initiatives represents an additional impulse to the cooperation.

"Thanks to its geo-strategic position and vision of the development of road, rail and port infrastructure, Montenegro will become an integral part of the world's new road network," DPM Lazović concluded.