(Yicai Global) Nov. 2 -- Preparations for the fifth China International Import Expo, which will kick off in Shanghai on Nov. 5, are nearly completed, according to the deputy director of the CIIE Bureau.

A total of 145 countries, regions, and international organizations will participate in the event, Sun Chenghai said at a press conference yesterday. The number of top 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises that will take part in the CIIE has increased from last year to 284 this year, he added.

Two workers set up the booth of US medical device giant Boston Scientific on Oct. 31.

Staffers install equipment in a booth at the National Exhibition and Convention Center.

A worker delivers exhibits with a forklift.

Final preparations are made at the venue of the Trade and Investment Matchmaking Conference of the Fifth China International Import Expo.

The flowerbed at the entrance of the National Exhibition and Convention Center is decorated with CIIE mascot Jinbao on Oct. 28.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Futura Costaglione