Since the first foreign enterprise established in Ningbo in 1980, the foreign investment inviting increased very fast, the industrial structure of foreign investment is further optimized and project quality greatly improved. The foreign investment concentrated in following industries: light industry, textile, electronics, petroleum chemistry, machinery, transportation, infrastructure, culture and tourism, real estate, etc., which make up the shortage of fund for a large scale development in Ningbo, promoted the adjustment of industrial structure, improved the comprehensive competitive power and economic importance of the city. Utilizing the foreign investment become the main part of the economic development in Ningbo.

In 2005, there are altogether 873 newly approved foreign invested projects in Ningbo, the total investment is 8.04 billion USD, contracted foreign investment 4.21 billion USD, actual foreign investment utilized is 2.31 billion USD, which increased by 3%, 20% and 22% respectively than the previous year. By the end of December, 2005, The total number of foreign invested projects are 10,026, with total amount of investment 46. 08 billion USD, total contracted foreign investment 25.34 billion USD, total foreign investment utilized 12. 27billion USD. Out of which there were 240 large projects with total investment over 10 million USD.