Third CIIE marks 150-day countdown

All preparations for the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) are progressing smoothly as the expo marks 150-day countdown on June 7.

As of now, more than 90 percent of the planned exhibition area has been reserved by exhibitors from across the world.

The first shopping fair for imported goods, scheduled for June 6-7 and June 13-14, is now being held at the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Shanghai), the venue of the CIIE.

The fair attracted more than 50 exhibitors from over 10 countries, including the United States, Germany, Australia and Japan, to display their goods. A number of buyers also attended the fair.

"This is the first time that imported goods have been exhibited and sold at a shopping fair," said Tang Lei, deputy director of sales at Forestlee Corp (East China), a Japanese company that has registered for the CIIE for three consecutive years.

"This time we have brought with us two varieties of super A-level rice produced in Hokkaido, which we expect to be the star products at the fair," Tang added.

He said the fair offered more direct exchanges between exhibitors and Chinese consumers, saying they can feel the vitality of the Chinese consumer market at the event.