The number of Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders scheduled to participate in the third China International Import Expo has almost equaled that of the previous editions, China Central Television reported.

The third CIIE is slated to be held in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10, and Monday marks the 100-day countdown to the expo.

Wang Binjie of the CIIE Bureau said many exhibitors are among the world's top 500 enterprises and industry leaders, including top 10 global companies across the pharmaceutical, medical equipment, high-end consumer goods, dairy and automobile industries. Some companies will showcase their newest products and technologies at this year's expo.

The exhibitors' association held its first meeting on Sunday. A total of 35 member enterprises signed three-year memoranda with the CIIE Bureau, which means these companies will attend the annual event for the next three years.

China has shown its open stance via the CIIE, said Paul Washer, CFO of Fonterra Group and a member of the exhibitors' association.

"We hope to participate in the expo, which is an excellent opportunity for foreign companies. We signed a deal to participate in the expo for three consecutive editions. It's a commitment not only for the CIIE, but also for China and the Chinese market."

In order to attract more exhibitors and buyers, the General Administration of Customs recently launched a slew of supporting policies to facilitate customs clearance of attendees at the expo.

This year, the total planned exhibition area for enterprises is 360,000 square meters, 60,000 square meters larger than the previous edition, and four new zones for public health and epidemic prevention, energy conservation and environment protection, smart transportation and sports goods and competitions will be set up at the event.

The CIIE is the first dedicated import exhibition in the world, and has seen fruitful outcomes in the past two editions. Last year more than $71.13 billion in deals were reached, up 23 percent from the first expo.