Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony Between Ningbo Council for the Promotion of International Trade Delegation and FOTIMA GROUP Successfully Held in Almaty
Deepening Presence in Central Asian Market to Empower Ningbo Enterprises’ Global Expansion
On July 29, 2026, the Forum for Chinese Enterprises Operating in Kazakhstan and the Signing Ceremony between the delegation of Ningbo Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Ningbo CCPIT) and FOTIMA GROUP were successfully hosted at FOTIMA LAB, Satbayev University in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
At the start of the event, the delegation toured the Belt and Road Education Center, Belt and Road Business Service Center and Global Sensor Laboratory of FOTIMA GROUP, gaining first-hand insights into the Group’s achievements in industry-education integration covering international talent cultivation, sensor technology research and development, and cross-border industrial services.
During the forum, all participants held thorough exchanges. The Ningbo CCPIT delegation, representatives of Chinese overseas enterprises and FOTIMA’s management team conducted face-to-face discussions. Participants exchanged views on key topics including investment opportunities in Central Asia, legal safeguards for cross-border commercial affairs, challenges of localised operation, industry-education collaboration models, joint R&D of industrial technologies and supply chain support. They explored sustainable cooperation pathways for manufacturing enterprises from Ningbo to enter Kazakhstan and expand across Central Asia.
Xia Qun, Vice Chairperson of Ningbo CCPIT, delivered a speech at the forum. She noted that Ningbo boasts a solid manufacturing foundation, with numerous local enterprises seeking overseas expansion. The Central Asian market enjoys tremendous growth potential. This overseas visit aims to build a bridge for economic and trade exchanges between Ningbo and Kazakhstan. Leveraging resources such as commercial legal services, dispute mediation and government-enterprise matchmaking, Ningbo CCPIT will help Ningbo enterprises properly address legal risks in overseas operations and steadily explore the Central Asian market. It is expected that this strategic partnership will harness FOTIMA’s strengths as a local platform to facilitate regular multi-level exchanges between Ningbo and Kazakhstan spanning industry, education, science and trade.
Following the forum, the landmark signing ceremony commenced. The Ningbo CCPIT delegation and FOTIMA GROUP signed the strategic cooperation agreement on-site. Representatives from both sides exchanged signed documents and took group photos.
Upon the establishment of this strategic partnership, both parties will fully integrate their competitive strengths. Ningbo CCPIT will empower domestic enterprises going global via its platform, while FOTIMA will leverage its long-standing local advantages in Kazakhstan for industrial implementation, industry-education platforms and localised operation. Together, they will build a regular service hub connecting Ningbo enterprises to the Central Asian market, delivering one-stop support for Ningbo manufacturers expanding into Central Asia, covering trade matchmaking, commercial legal services, talent supply and technology implementation.
Lu Yizhen, CEO of FOTIMA GROUP, attended the event and delivered a speech. She stated: “As a core hub in Central Asia, Kazakhstan serves as a vital node country under the Belt and Road Initiative. Rooted in Almaty, FOTIMA keeps building a localised platform driven by the dual engines of industry and education. This strategic cooperation with Ningbo CCPIT marks a crucial step for government-enterprise collaboration to support Ningbo enterprises expanding into Central Asia. We will continue to operate our industry-education integration center and Global Sensor Laboratory, streamline the full chain of talent training, technological innovation and commercial circulation, and help more manufacturing brands from Ningbo steadily establish a presence in Central Asia to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.”
The event concluded with a group photo of all guests. This gathering created a multi-party dialogue platform linking governments, universities, Chinese and foreign enterprises. It further consolidated the foundation for cooperation as Ningbo enterprises explore the Central Asian market, injecting new momentum into pragmatic collaboration between Ningbo and Kazakhstan in economy, trade, science, education, legal business environment and industrial sectors.
Moving forward, FOTIMA GROUP will continue to act as a bridgehead in Central Asia. Working alongside Ningbo CCPIT, overseas universities and domestic manufacturers, the Group will push forward the implementation of Belt and Road industry-education integration projects, tap into opportunities for cooperation in energy, advanced manufacturing and related industries across Central Asia, and build an international economic and trade platform facilitating two-way connectivity.
