KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan is confident, China will remain Malaysia's largest trading partner for this year.

Malaysia-China trade has increased more than six-fold over the past 10 years, reaching US$45.66 billion last year. 

"China is also looking at Malaysia as a potential trade partner, particularly, within the Asean Free Trade Agreement. 

"As we progress further and the economy gets better, I am sure that trade between China and Malaysia will continue to grow," he told reporters after a courtesy call by Guo Shengkun, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Guangxi Committee. 

Jacob also said, in the first quarter of this year, China was still Malaysia's number one trading partner. 

The purpose of Guo's visit is to discuss preparations for the 8th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) and exchange views on bilateral economic and investment opportunities. 

Malaysia has been appointed the Country of Honour at the 8th CAEXPO which will be held in Nanning, Guangxi, China from Oct 21-26 this year. 

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will be the lead organisation for this event. 

The Malaysia Trade and Commodity Pavilion also provides opportunities for Malaysian businesses to display and promote their goods to business visitors from all over the world. 

MATRADE has targeted the participation of more than 100 companies from five main industry clusters, namely, food and beverages, services, health and wellness, Malaysian brands and building materials.