MOC: SECOND CIIE TO ADD BOOTH AREAS, ATTENDEES

Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan answers questions at a press conference during the second session of the 13th National People's Congress of China on March 9.

The second China International Import Expo(CIIE) will feature a larger exhibition area and be attended by more countries and enterprises,Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan said on March 9.

The booth area will expand to a planned 330,000 square meters, Zhong told a news conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session. The first CIIE had an exhibition area of 300,000 square meters.

The exhibition will also showcase more new products, technologies and services, he said,adding that booths in sectors like health care have already been fully booked.

The second Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum will be held during the CIIE, the minister said.

A total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations and more than 3,600 enterprises participated in the first CIIE,held last November in Shanghai. It was the world's first import-themed national-level expo.

Deals for intended one-year purchases of goods and services worth a total of US$57.83 billion were reached at the first CIIE.