The list of the first batch of enterprises to participate in the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) was published on Thursday, a month ahead of schedule, according to the China International Import Expo Bureau.

Out of the 143 enterprises that were listed, nearly 40 percent are Fortune Global 500 enterprises and over half are industrial leaders. These enterprises will occupy more than 100,000 square meters of exhibition area.

Meanwhile, more than 60 enterprises have signed up for booths that measure more than 600 square meters.

Enterprises from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand will showcase their latest products and technologies in six expo sections: trade in services, automobiles, consumer goods, intelligent industry and information technology, medical equipment and healthcare products, and food and agricultural products.

The early release of the list of exhibitors will provide companies with more time to explore business opportunities and sales channels and engage with business partners, said Richard Yiu, General Manager, Roche Diagnostics China.

Charles Kao, president of Amorepacific China, believes that companies will have plenty of time to prepare and learn more about the Chinese market through matchmaking activities held before the expo.

Zhao Bingdi, managing officer of Panasonic China & Northeast Asia, said that the early announcement of the list will play an important role in boosting exhibitors’ confidence in the expo and the Chinese market in light of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

“Panasonic has full confidence in the Chinese economy and will continue its investment the Chinese market,” he added.

Other than exhibitors, the early release of the list is also a gift for purchasers.

The early access to exhibitor information will give purchasers more time to prepare for the registration process as well as matchmaking and negotiation sessions, according to Zhang Jing, general manager assistant of China Eastern Aviation Import & Export Corp.

Wang Hongwei, head of division of buyers service of CIIE bureau, said that the early announcement of expo information is crucial to attracting foreign investment and tapping into potential opportunities. 

According to the organizers, preparations for the third CIIE will continue through means that do not involve physical contact, such as phone calls, video calls and emails, so as to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

The CIIE is the first expo in the world that is dedicated to imports. This year’s edition, the third since the expo’s inception in 2018, will take place in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10.