Top companies and business leaders worldwide have shown great interest in the second China International Import Expo, to be held in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10. The organizer said it would welcome attendees with more exhibition areas and better services.

By now, more than 1,000 enterprises have applied or registered to attend the expo, including about 200 Fortune 500 companies, and more companies are expected to join the event. The exhibition area has surpassed 270,000 square meters, according to data from the CIIE Bureau.

The exhibition hall covers technology, automobiles, equipment, medical instruments and medical care, service trade, food and agriculture.

As the world’s first national-level import exposition, CIIE provides a platform for companies to display their products, popularize their brands and find more business partners in the world’s second largest economy.

As put forward at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2017, the first CIIE, themed “New Era, Shared Future,” was held from Nov 5 to 10 last year, and attracted more than 3,600 companies and attendees from 172 countries, regions and international organizations.

Over 400,000 purchasers worldwide conducted business at the expo, with the value of orders and transactions reaching $57.83 billion. About 4,000 journalists from home and abroad attended the event.

Due to the success of last year’s event, companies have shown an even greater interest. During promotional activities for the second CIIE in Finland and Sweden, some companies even applied to join the third CIIE in 2020, according to the CIIE Bureau.

“Through CIIE, we saw China’s determination to build a more open business environment, promote globalization in the market and to meet people’s expectations for a better life,” said Lan Zhenzhen, vice-president of French cosmetic giant L’Oreal China. “It also lets us see the government’s support for companies.”

Lan said the company benefits from the many policies, such as tax and fee cuts, and loosened market access, which helps the development of foreign companies in China.

During last year’s event, the company displayed more than 500 products, including debuting some cutting-edge cosmetics technologies, which attracted much attention from media and other professionals in the makeup industry, Lan added. The company has confirmed its participation in the second CIIE.

The Hong Kong branch of helicopter purchasing solutions provider Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment was an exhibitor in the intelligent and high-end equipment area of CIIE last year. Zhang Rongyuan, assistant to the chairman of the company, said they benefited greatly from the event.

“It provides us with a platform to expand in the Chinese market, share cooperative opportunities and realize mutual benefits and win-win,” Zhang said, adding it displayed two of the latest helicopters manufactured by Italian aerospace company Leonardo at CIIE.

It also signed a contract with Leonardo to purchase 15 helicopters used in emergency medical rescue at the event. They also agreed to purchase 160 multiple types of helicopters from 2019 to 2023, for the company to develop training schools and localized production in China, according to Zhang.

“The achievements were made with the support of CIIE,” he said, adding he is happy that the organizer has set up outdoor exhibition areas, which helps the company better display its helicopters.

French yeast manufacturer Lesafre plans to expand its exhibition area by 200 sq m this year to host the Asian contest of the Louis Lesafre World Bakery Cup. The competition is considered the “baking Olympics” of the world.

Global accounting and consulting firm Deloitte also plans to double its exhibition space to showcase more of its advanced technologies and services in intelligent city, intelligent medical care and intelligent finance, said Liu Minghua, innovation leader of Deloitte China.

During last year’s event, the company signed over 10 agreements, mainly on digital transformation and globalization of Chinese companies. It also organized 25 forums covering artificial intelligence, financial technology and internet security.

“CIIE gives exhibitors from around the world a chance to show their advantages and explore opportunities for cooperation,” he said.

According to the CIIE Bureau, the organizer also welcomes more private and small and medium-sized enterprises to take part. It will set up news conference areas for companies to release latest products, technologies and services.

A new high-end consumer goods exhibition area will be set up, conforming to the wave of consumption upgrading. Augmented reality, virtual reality, pension services, outdoor cooking equipment and automated driving are some of the innovations that will be on display at this year’s event.

The China Pavilion will focus on the theme of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and showcase the economic and social progress of the country and the new opportunities in the new era.

Ministries will be invited to interpret related policies and release research reports. The organizer will also invite countries, regions and cities to host cultural activities.

CIIE will also hold an exhibition for different countries who want to display their development achievements and industries. It aims to improve the influence of countries and enhance international economic cooperation. The event will show the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration, the organizer said.