A total of over 4,000 companies and more than 10,000 professional visitors from Ningbo sign up to participate in the CIIE. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

As the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened on Nov 5 in Shanghai, Ningbo is showing great enthusiasm and has geared up before its opening. 

A total of over 4,000 companies and more than 10,000 professional visitors from Ningbo have signed up to participate in the expo, both ranking first in Zhejiang province. 

"We hope to find more cooperation partners and import more high-quality products during the fair," said Cao Xudong, deputy manager of NingShing Ubay International Trade Co Ltd, a cross-border e-commerce enterprise located in Ningbo Free Trade Zone, whose annual import amount has reached 1.6 billion yuan ($231.9 million).

Five trade events were also expected to organize during the fair to improve the mix of exports and promote the transforming and upgrading of foreign trade. 

One of the highlights was the trade matching meeting between Ningbo and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to be held on Nov 9 at National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. 

The meeting, being the only one approved to be the host by Ningbo, is expected to attract over 100 foreign exhibitors and sign a batch of purchasing projects.