SHANGHAI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Italian companies and organizations have booked over 6,900 square meters of exhibition area for the Second China International Import Expo (CIIE), the CIIE Bureau said Thursday.

According to the bureau, over 800 companies from more than 70 countries and regions have already signed up for the event, scheduled in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10.

While some famous Italian brands like Iveco have booked directly with the bureau, the Italy-China Foundation, Italy-China Chamber of Commerce and Italian Trade Agency have booked 2,000 square meters of exhibition areas for Italian companies to showcase Made-in-Italy products of high quality.

A variety of Italian foods, including wine, dairy products and meat, will be on show at the exhibition.

Italian firms are seeking the opportunity offered by China's upgraded consumption market and expecting more cooperation in the health care and food industries.

Currently, there are around 1,600 Italian companies doing business in China. Among them, 240 started China business in 2018.

According to the CIIE Bureau, 141 Italian companies participated in the first CIIE in 2018 with products and services in the medical, food, intelligent equipment and daily consumption sectors.