UNNC Professor Offers Advice on Ningbo’s Economy

Formerly Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and the main architect in the Belt and Road MOU signed between Italy and China, Michele Geraci now serves as an esteemed professor at the Nottingham University Business School China (NUBS China).

Michele Geraci was interviewed on the campus of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). (Photo by Yan Jin)

Following his recent attendance at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), Mr. Geraci – a seasoned professor with a tenure of 10 years in UNNC – conveyed his fondness for Ningbo in an interview with Ningbo Evening News. Back in the city, he observed the opening of Metro Line 5 near UNNC and a marked uptick in airport traffic – both of which stood as positive indications of a recovering economy.

“I’ve always been optimistic regarding Ningbo's economy. It boasts the third-largest container throughput port globally, providing a conducive environment for robust business prospects. We look forward to cultivating collaborative partnerships between Ningbo and Italian ports facilitating the shipment of Chinese-made products from Ningbo to Italy, and then farther north to the rest of Europe, south to Africa, and the Middle East.” Geraci stated.

Geraci expressed anticipation for the upcoming third China-Central and Eastern European Countries Expo (China-CEEC Expo) in Ningbo. He noted that certain Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), such as Hungary and Romania, demonstrate an open economic environment.

“My recommendation is for Ningbo to undertake comprehensive country studies on CEEC to gain a thorough understanding of their opening-up policies and complementary industries. Additionally, I am encouraging the establishment of a think-tank analysis initiative in Italy to promote enhanced understanding and engagement among Italian political and business leaders with China's opportunities.” Geraci provided economic advice for Ningbo.

Over the years, Geraci has placed great emphasis on promoting cooperation between China and Europe. He maintains an active engagement with social media to shed light on the current state of affairs in China and inspire outstanding Italian students to enroll at esteemed Chinese institutions such as UNNC. “Cultural exchanges are essential in building a favorable environment for trade and economic cooperation. Our training program is designed to cultivate students with a global perspective, thereby enabling them to serve as cultural ambassadors between Italy and China upon graduation,” added Geraci.

Geraci finds his diverse work experience to be an asset in educating his students and broadening their horizons. Despite his busy teaching schedule this spring, he has committed himself to learning Russian on top of his existing fluency in Chinese.

Reporter:Yan Jin

Correspondent:Chen Lingjia

Compiled and translated:Mei Jie

Proofreaders:Zhang Dongjing, Puyang Rong, Jason Mowbray