SOFIA, Aug. 25 -- Bulgaria's caretaker government attaches great importance to the expansion of trade and industrial relations with China, and will support all initiatives to deepen bilateral cooperation, a Bulgarian official said Monday.

Irena Mladenova, Deputy Minister of Economy and Energy, made the statement while opening a bilateral business forum attended by 23 public and private companies from the southeast China's province of Fujian and over 80 Bulgarian businessmen.

"The government will assist companies from Fujian that wish to invest in Bulgaria in sectors such as engineering, automotive and electronics," Mladenova said.

She said the Chinese delegation's visit was an excellent opportunity for Bulgarian business to present the advantages and quality of its production and to explore the market of the second largest economy in the world.

Simplifying procedures for the import of Bulgarian agricultural products and foodstuffs in China was also important for Bulgaria, she added.

Last year, trade between Bulgaria and China reached a record level of around 1.9 billion U.S. dollars, Mladenova said.

"The upward trend in bilateral trade continues, but it is far below the potential of the two countries," she said.