09.07.2026 / APACCCEEC and Ningbo Customs District Delegation to Bulgaria Hold Meetings in Plovdiv and Sofia
In the city of Plovdiv, the Chinese delegation from Ningbo Customs District, which is visiting Bulgaria with APACCCEEC as a host, met with Professor Dimo Atanasov, PhD, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Activities at Agricultural University – Plovdiv. During the meeting, which took place on July 1st, 2026, both sides introduced their own organizations and discussed the opportunities for future contacts and cooperation in areas such as joint trainings and laboratory testing.
As part of the tour in the campus of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv, the Chinese delegation visited the Demonstration Zone of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the CEE Countries, the history and current functions of which were presented by Dr. Momchil Stanishev, Director of APACCCEEC. Furthermore, the delegation visited premises and laboratories within the scope of the LuBan Workshop project, which the Bulgarian university has been implementing jointly with Chinese partners: Tianjin Agricultural University and Tianjin Economics and Trade School. The master’s programme, which the Agricultural University – Plovdiv has developed together with these educational institutions, was also mentioned during the conversations.
In the city of Sofia, APACCCEEC and the Chinese delegation from Ningbo Customs District held a bilateral meeting, which took place on July 2nd, 2026. At the meeting, Dr. Momchil Stanishev, Director of APACCCEEC, provided an overview of APACCCEEC’s activity and some specific initiatives, among which: APACCCEEC’s Liaison Office and Permanent Pavilion in the city of Ningbo; APACCCEEC’s participation in international exhibitions, including the Association’s participation in the 4th China-CEEC Expo in the period 22-25 May 2025; the Seminar on Rose Industry, Innovations and Cosmetics in China organized by APACCCEEC and Chinese partners in October-November 2025, which also included a business event at APACCCEEC’s Permanent Pavilion in Ningbo; APACCCEEC’s cooperation with institutions such as the EU SME Centre; APACCCEEC’s membership in the China-CEEC Modern Agricultural Science and Education Innovation Alliance and the 2025 Annual Meeting and Council Meeting of the Alliance, which were held in Sofia, with APACCCEEC as a co-organizer, as well as the participation of Dr. Momchil Stanishev, Director of APACCCEEC, in the Annual Meeting of the Alliance in May 2026.
During the meeting, Ms. Dang Yingjie, Director-General, expressed her satisfaction with the first joint seminar organized by the two institutions as well as willingness for a continued cooperation between APACCCEEC and the China-CEEC Customs Information Center. The bilateral meeting further provided both sides with the opportunity to discuss potential future joint initiatives, such as the possibility of organizing other seminars and workshops adressing topics of interest to the businesses from Bulgaria and the CEECs. Moreover, Ms. Dang Yingjie extended an invitation to APACCCEEC to participate in the next edition of the China-CEEC Expo in the city of Ningbo in 2027 with a pavilion of its own, at which manufacturers of foods, beverages and cosmetics may exhibit their products.
At the meeting, APACCCEEC and Ningbo Customs District signed a joint Action Plan covering the period 2026-2027. The Action Plan provides for various activities, such as: mutual exchange of useful information, organization of a joint seminar, an opportunity for exchanging visits, etc.
During their stay at APACCCEEC’s office in Sofia, the representatives of Ningbo Customs District visited the exhibition area adjacent to the office, which showcases samples of foods and beverages from the CEE countries.
