People walk past an electronic poster of the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the Hongqiao Railway Station in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2023. The 6th CIIE is scheduled to be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. The expo showcases China's new development paradigm, a platform for high-standard opening up, and a public good for the whole world. (Photo: Xinhua)

Multinational companies are eagerly preparing for the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) as the 100-day countdown begins on Saturday. With a strong belief in the China market and its potential for growth, multinational companies will be showcasing new technologies and innovative products for the CIIE, which is scheduled to take place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. 

Many of these companies are also ramping up their investments in China, demonstrating their confidence in the country's economic prospects, experts said, adding that the moves highlight the continued interest and commitment of foreign companies in the China mar-ket, rebuking any speculation about a decline in foreign investment.

US firm 3M will showcase a range of global debut and Chinese debut products in the new-ly established new material zone at the 7th CIIE. It will also introduce a variety of innova-tive products made from recycled and sustainable materials in the consumer market.

"China is a crucial market for 3M, and we have great confidence in the country's economic development. We will continue to increase our investment in the Chinese market and ex-pand our business operations," Ding Hongyu, vice-president of 3M told the Global Times on Friday.

The company will increase investment in areas such as new-energy vehicles, consumer electronics, and sustainable development. It will also increase investment in local R&D and manufacturing, Ding said.

The 3M factory in Jinshan district, Shanghai, is currently undergoing expansion. The pro-ject is expected to be completed by the end of this year or early next year, according to Ding.

German company Henkel will showcase its sustainable solutions in the adhesive technolo-gy and consumer goods sectors at this year's CIIE.

Henkel is investing around 500 million yuan ($69 million) in the expansion of its Shang-hai Innovation Experience Center. The center is expected to be completed and operational by 2025 and will become the company's second largest adhesive technology innovation center globally.

Earlier this year, Henkel's Asian consumer goods R&D center was inaugurated in Shanghai with an investment of around 100 million yuan.

"The accelerating formation of a green and low-carbon supply chain in the Chinese mar-ket, coupled with increasing consumer focus on environmental protection, is providing a vast market and platform for sustainable innovation technologies for companies like Hen-kel," Anna An, president of Henkel for Greater China, told the Global Times on Friday.

More than 150 international businesses have signed up to attend the CIIE in Shanghai for a seventh time, having attended all previous CIIEs, organizers said on Wednesday.

From January to June, China saw a significant increase in the establishment of new for-eign-invested enterprises, with a total of 26,870 set up during this period, marking a 14.2 percent rise compared to the previous year. 

The manufacturing sector emerged as a key attraction for foreign investment, with a total of 141.86 billion yuan invested in this industry, up 2.4 percentage points from last year.