Over 2,800 companies from overseas have confirmed their participation in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), according to Wang Bingnan, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce at a press conference held on July 27 in honor of the 100-day countdown to the opening of the Expo.

(Jinbao, a scarf-wearing giant panda, is the mascot of the CIIE.[Photo/eastday.com])

To be held in Shanghai this November, the Expo themed “New Era, Shared Future” has so far attracted the attention of more than 130 countries and regions. According to Wang during his speech at the press conference, more than 2,800 exhibitors are from overseas and are high-quality companies. Over 200 of them are Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises. The average exhibition area of each company reaches nearly 100 square meters.　

(Wang Bingnan, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce speaks at the press conference.[Photo/eastday.com])

As preliminary statistics show, around 100 new products and technologies will be displayed at the Expo, thus showcasing the most cutting-edge and representative products and services around the globe. Visitors will also see premium specialty products from many developing countries and the least developed countries.

The Expo will consist of the Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment Area and the Enterprise and Business Exhibition Area. As for the Country Pavilion Area, which is exclusively reserved for country exhibitions, not for business transactions, currently 80 countries and three international organizations have confirmed to display their products there. Many of them even plan to hold related activities at the site.

During an interview with eastday.com, Michiaki Oguri, director of JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Shanghai, said that around 400 Japanese companies will participate in the Expo, among which 300 have been organized by JETRO. Taking up a total exhibition area of 20,000 square meters, the exhibits will cover consumer goods, food, medical care, elderly care, equipment, automobiles and animation products.

As a neighboring country of China, Russia is passionate about joining the CIIE. As Li Shuo, an official with the China International Import Expo Bureau, revealed, the country is one of the biggest exhibitors at the upcoming fair, registering an exhibition area of 1,000 square meters. And most of their exhibits are industrial and agriculture products. The Russian Export Center has been organizing enterprises to take part, to bring in trade in food and agriculture products, medical equipment, health care products, consumer goods, high-tech equipment and services. The Russian government has even granted rental and booth installation subsidies for enterprises as a symbol of encouragement.

Israel, Portugal, Ireland and other countries will also attend the fair. According to the Consul General of Ireland in Shanghai, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine of Ireland and the Department of Industry and Commerce will set up booths of 80 and 30 square meters respectively, showcasing Irish food and services. In addition, 3 to 5 Irish companies have confirmed that they will take part independently.

Countries along the Belt and Road, including Belarus, Vietnam, Egypt, Thailand, Singapore, and India, have also expressed their enthusiasm about the upcoming Expo. 

Registration for the Enterprise and Business Exhibition Area of the first CIIE was completed on June 30. So as to reserve their booths next year, Metro AG (Germany), Lesaffre (France), Mori Nashi Corporation (Japan) and the Mediterranean-China Economic and Trade Organization (France) have signed the registration form of the second CIIE (2019) which covers an exhibition area of over 3,000 square meters.