Reporters take snapshots of an 88-carat diamond from France, which will be on display during the 3rd China International Import Expo in Shanghai. [Photo/XINHUA]

The 3rd China International Import Expo is set to attract more new exhibitors from various sectors as global companies are increasingly hinging their development and growth prospects on the world's second-largest economy.

Li Ling, president of CBRE China, said the company, a unit of the US-based commercial real estate services and investment firm, will for the first time participate in the expo as an exhibitor, after being a visitor in the previous two editions.

"With China pursuing an open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial-to-all economic development, CBRE as a global company is bound to deepen its roots in the market and play its part in furthering China's economic transformation and urbanization process," he said.

"We are well aware that the expo plays an increasingly important role in helping promote trade, boosting investment and imports of both goods and services, besides providing unparalleled business opportunities for commercial real estate services companies like CBRE," said Li.

UK-based Savills, another real estate advisory firm, will use the CIIE as an opportunity to spark business opportunities among enterprises, clients, business partners and governments, according to a top company official.

Siu Wing Chu, CEO of Savills China, said: "We are publishing our sustainable city solutions for the first time at the CIIE involving 20 activities, with a special focus on urban planning, investment, boosting consumption, green technology and building communities for the future."

Zhu Wei, chairman of Accenture in China, expects the CIIE to play a critical role in helping companies exchange knowledge and best practices with global audiences.

"It's imperative for businesses to embrace cooperation and boost innovation for sustainable yet disruptive growth," said Zhu.

According to Zhu, Accenture is looking forward to exploring digital technologies to enhance operational efficiency and agility, support a new way of working with humans and AI, and maintain perpetual relevance through constant intelligent engagements.

In addition to the huge business opportunities it offers, the CIIE is an ideal venue for innovation and product debuts.

In an effort to augment its presence in China, Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing brand owned by Yamaguchi-headquartered Fast Retailing Co Ltd, is planning to make a dazzling debut at the upcoming CIIE with a 1,500-square-meter exhibition area named "Museum of Tomorrow".

As the largest booth in the consumer products section, Uniqlo is set to showcase several of its innovations involving arts and science collaborations.

United States-based healthcare company Abbott will present its innovative solutions and advanced technology with nearly 100 exhibits from four core business units, involving diagnostics, medical devices, established pharmaceuticals and nutrition sectors. Nearly 40 percent of the exhibits will be making their debut in China.

Danish biological solutions provider Novozymes is looking to exhibit its best innovations and products in the Chinese market at the CIIE, with an eye on tapping more opportunities in the China market, said Chen Xiaohui, president of Novozymes China.

"In the post-pandemic era, Novozymes intends to find biological solutions for better lives in a growing world. We want to maintain close cooperation and seek mutual development with our customers and partners in China, as well as the Chinese government and academics," said Chen.

"As China unveils the 'dual circulation' economic strategy this year, by leveraging the key platform of the CIIE, we hope to search for new opportunities and ride the momentum from China's speedy economic recovery and unswerving push for wider opening-up," said Li from CBRE.