(Yicai) Oct. 23 -- Some 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions have signed up to participate in the seventh China International Import Expo, which will be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 through Nov. 10.

This year's CIIE will be attended by a record 297 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders, Tang Wenhong, assistant to China's commerce minister, said today. Some 186 firms and institutions will visit the exhibition for the seventh straight year, he pointed out.

The CIIE area will once again cover over 360,000 square meters, Tang added, noting that the seventh Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which will include a main forum and 19 sub-forums, will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center during the same period.

Various preparations have been completed, Tang said. The CIIE's overall exhibition and display area will be over 420,000 sqm, and 152 countries, regions, and international organizations will attend national and corporation exhibitions, he added.

Seventy-seven countries and international organizations will attend the CIIE's national exhibitions, with France, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan as guests of honor. The exhibition has offered support to 37 of the least developed countries to take part in the national and corporation exhibitions.

A special area will be dedicated to displaying products from Africa, helping expand unilateral opening up to countries from the continent to practice the concept of universal benefit and inclusiveness with concrete actions, Tang pointed out.

Editors: Xu Wei, Martin Kadiev