(Yicai Global) Nov. 4 -- China's inaugural international import exhibition will kick off in Shanghai tomorrow. After a year of preparation, the city is ready, government officials said.

Shanghai has prepared all aspects of urban services for CIIE after close to twelve months of intense preparation, Zhou Bo, the city's executive vice mayor, said yesterday at a press conference.

Security measures in the city have been strengthened, Zhou said, adding that authorities will carry safety inspections on public transport, restrictions on dangerous goods during the event to ensure a safe CIIE.

The city has further improved traffic signage around the exhibition halls and installed special signs covering an area of 110,000 square meters around the venues.

Shanghai has also brought in more than 5,000 uniformed volunteers, and they have been providing services since Oct. 23.

"CIIE is the first ever national exhibition in the world based around imports, and is expected to become a world-class expo that engages the best companies, exhibits the best products, builds the best environment, provides the best services, and achieves the best results," said Wang Bingnan, Chinese vice commerce minister at the same press conference.

Government leaders from over 130 countries and heads of international organizations, global business leaders, renowned experts and scholars will attend the opening ceremony, after which, Chinese and foreign leaders will visit the country pavilions.

The exhibition covers an area of about 30,000 square meters and some 81 countries and international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, are taking part.