The second China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held at the National Exhibition Center in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, 2019. Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Wang Bingnan announced a "100-day Countdown" to the second CIIE at a press conference on Friday.

"A total of 61 countries have confirmed their participation," said Wang, adding that "fifteen countries, including France and Italy, have been confirmed as Countries of Honor this year."

Like the inaugural expo, the second CIIE consists of the Country Pavilions, the Business Exhibition and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum. 

The CIIE will be hosted by MOFCOM and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government.

Wang explained that the Country Pavilions will cover an area of 30,000 square meters. The China Pavilion (including the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan exhibitions) will also be presented at the second CIIE, and will focus on the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China by showcasing the country's achievements in economic and social development and new opportunities in the new era.

More than 3,000 companies from over 150 countries and regions have confirmed their attendance at the Business Exhibition, with representatives coming from BRICS countries, member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, nearly 60 Belt and Road countries and 40 least developed countries.

The Business Exhibition this year includes seven exhibition areas: Sci-Tech, Life, Automobile, Equipment, Medical Equipment and Health Care Products. Lifestyles, Trade in Services and Food agricultural Products.

"The exhibition area has been expanded twice to over 300,000 square meters, yet is still far from enough to meet all the demands from applicants," Wang said.

Hongqiao International Economic Forum

"So far, a number of guests, including Roberto Azevedo, Director General of the WTO Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary General of UNCTAD Jin Liqun, President of the AIlB Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of the ITC, and a Nobel Prize Economics winner Christopher Pissarides, together with dignitaries, global business leaders and renowned academics have all expressed their intentions to attend the (Hongqiao International Economic) forum," Wang said.

(Wu Guoxiu also contributed to the story)

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