A total of 32 companies based in Shanghai's Xuhui district will participate in the upcoming 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), two-thirds of which are regional headquarters of multinational corporations, officials said at the Xuhui district exhibitors' press conference held on Friday.

The CIIE is set to open in Shanghai on Nov 5. Yang Xiaojie, director of Xuhui district's commission of commerce, said that more than half of these exhibitors are participating for the seventh time, including the United States-based industrial conglomerate 3M, the French yeast and fermentation supplier Lesaffre, and the healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson.

Canadian athletic apparel retailer Lululemon will make its debut at the CIIE and will host a special yoga event at the venue.

"This year's participation in the CIIE aims to leverage this globally influential platform to promote Lululemon's advocacy for a healthy lifestyle and its vision for enhancing people's well-being," said Lynn Cheah, senior vice-president of brand marketing at lululemon China.

The company 3M will present a variety of innovative products and solutions globally and in China, centered around the theme of sustainability. Legoland Resort in Shanghai will unveil a concept video showcasing the upcoming resort in Shanghai.

"More and more world-class enterprises are looking to leverage international platforms such as the CIIE to access greater market opportunities, investment prospects, and avenues for growth," Yang said.

From January to September, Xuhui district received $1.67 billion in foreign investment, marking a 19.8 percent year-on-year increase. Both the total amount and growth rate ranked second in the city. As of now, the district has identified a total of 167 regional headquarters of multinational companies and foreign-funded research and development centers.