Preparations for the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai, which will start its 100-day countdown on Sunday, has been advancing steadily, officials said, as the event aims to strengthen business ties with the rest of the world at a time when global trade is facing disruptions and rising uncertainties.

During a news briefing on Friday, Wu Zhengping, deputy head of the CIIE Bureau, said that over 330,000 square meters of space has been signed up at the business exhibition. A total of 170 companies and 27 other institutions will attend the CIIE for the eighth consecutive year.

Boston Scientific will debut its Orbera 365, a gastric balloon for nonsurgical weight loss, at this year's CIIE.

According to Pan Xiaoshu, head of the company's endoscopy and pulmonary division in China, the product offers patients with obesity a reversible, minimally invasive weight-loss solution.

Echoing China's "Year of Weight Management" campaign, the product will be first used in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Boston Scientific has introduced more than 80 products to China during past CIIEs, she added.

Countries such as Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway and Peru will see a record high number of companies attending the eighth CIIE.

Teo Rojas, general manager of Argo, said the company will attend the CIIE for the first time this year, showcasing healthy foods from Peru.

Newly built infrastructure projects connecting Latin America and China over the past few years have laid the groundwork for strengthening mutual business ties.

Bringing back the most up-to-date technologies from China to benefit farmers in Latin America is another major reason why Argo wants to be a part of the CIIE, the biggest of its kind, said Rojas.

Maia Escobar, business development manager of Carriquiry Consulting, agreed that the CIIE is the best platform to position a new brand in China. Escobar said the firm will help to introduce Brazilian baked goods brand Bauducco for the first time in China via the CIIE, noting that Chinese consumers are ready for alternatives.

For the first time, a special area has been set at the expo for the least developed countries.

A special area for African products, found in previous editions of the CIIE, will be expanded this year.

This way, companies and products from least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, as well as the 53 African countries that also have diplomatic relations with China, can effectively use the zero tariff agent policy and better tap the Chinese market, Wu of the CIIE Bureau said.

Meanwhile, a cross-border e-commerce platform for select products will be introduced for the first time during this year's CIIE, Wu added.

According to Wu, the themed exhibition for intelligent industry and information technology will see participation from more than 80 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders.

Intelligent, safety and sustainability research and development results regarding multimodal transportation and low-altitude economy will be showcased at the automobile and smart transportation area.

More than 500 cutting-edge technology projects covering digital economy, green and low-carbon development, bioscience and manufacturing technologies will be present at the innovation incubation special section, hitting a record, according to Wu.

Services for exhibitors will be further improved.

The costs of taking part in this year's CIIE will be reduced, with the booth construction period shortened and charges for certain services will also be lowered, added Wu.

E-visas will be provided at ports to CIIE exhibitors for the first time. Bonded exhibition and trading scope will be further expanded under the guidance of the General Administration of Customs, according to Zhu Min, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.

Shang Yong, deputy-director of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, said that Shanghai-based companies can use their own funds to apply for visas for representatives of foreign companies that they have invited for the event.

The entire process can be completed online, exempting applicants from submitting physical copies, such as passports.

Foreign exhibitors that have a greater need for business discussions or trade can apply to extend their stay in China right at the exhibition venue, Shang added.

shijing@chinadaily.com.cn