(Yicai Global) Dec. 10 -- Over 1,000 firms have registered for the second China International Import Expo scheduled for the second half of next year, said Liu Fuxue, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, at a promotional event at the Parliament of New South Wales, Australia on Dec. 6.

The CIIE Bureau has signed with about 100 firms after selection and they have reserved over 30,000 square meters for exhibition, Liu added.

Seeing that firms got results beyond their expectations at the first CIIE, five Australian companies registered and signed with the CIIE Bureau at the event Down Under, booking exhibition space that will exceed 1,000 square meters.

Many firms also filled out registration forms and asked for more details. The event is timely and greatly encourages firms affiliated to the China Chamber of Commerce in Australia to attend the second CIIE, the chamber head said.

China is inviting firms all over the world to the second CIIE via an electronic invitation which recently flashed on the screen at World Square in Sydney to let ever more foreign firms learn about the expo.

The deadline for firms registering for the second expo is Apr. 30 next year, two months earlier than the first, was the friendly tip Liu gave to firms at the event, hoping those willing register as soon as possible to get booths and attend with superior products.

Difficulty in getting booths at the second expo will occur earlier than at the first, Liu warned.

The CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) will hold promotional events for the second expo in other countries such as Indonesia, the US, Panama and Brazil soon after the events in New Zealand and Australia.

Editor: Ben Armour