GENOA, Italy - The first batch of Italian products to participate in the 2019 China International Import Expo (CIIE) was loaded on Monday at Italy's northern port of Genoa and heading for Shanghai, where the CIIE will be held.

Transported by COSCO SHIPPING Lines (Italy), this batch of goods is due to arrive in Shanghai on Oct 10. These products come from Pharsmart, an Italian science & health company which is mainly engaged in the research and development of medicine, cosmetics, food and medical equipment.

Cotticelli Giovanni, managing director of Pharsmart, said the large population base of the Chinese market and the fast development of the Chinese economy are the two main factors that have led Pharsmart to participate in the second CIIE slated for November.

"We didn't participate as an exhibitor last year, and CIIE is a stage we are really looking forward to this year," he told Xinhua. "Our goal is to bring more targeted high quality products to the Chinese market."

According to Li Bin, the economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, more than 120 Italian companies have indicated willingness to participate in the second CIIE so far, with the scale of exhibition area reaching over 6,500 square meters this year.

"Covering almost all categories, this year the Italian goods will feature high-quality lifestyle products, high-end manufacturing products as well as many special local foods," said Li.