The 9th China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Organisers expect 162 countries, regions and international organisations to take part, and the exhibition area will pass 440,000 square metres for the first time.
China's Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong said this year's expo is intended to be more market-oriented, distinctive and professional. He said the Country Exhibition will gather 69 countries and international organisations, more than last year. Canada and Sri Lanka will be the guest countries of honour. Moldova, Romania and three other countries, together with the United Nations Development Programme, will participate for the first time.
At the Business Exhibition, companies from the United States will occupy more than 50,000 square metres, keeping the largest national presence for an eighth year after adding 1,500 square metres compared with last year. The business area itself will exceed 370,000 square metres for the first time. A total of 4,142 companies from 148 countries and regions have signed up, the highest number in the event's history.
Six international organisations, including the UN Conference on Trade and Development and the UN Industrial Development Organization, will also take part. Government departments and local authorities plan to organise more than 40 trade delegations and over 600 sub-delegations.