LILONGWI, Malawi, Feb.19 (Xinhua) -- Malawian Commerce Minister expressed his country's willingness to enhance economic cooperation with China during an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Tuesday.

"We grow tobacco, we grow cotton ... and we need markets. With its huge population, China is the one that nobody can ignore," Commerce Minister Henry Mussa said.

Malawi cut off its 41-year diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a province of China, at the end of 2007 and established diplomatic relations with China, becoming the 170th country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China.

Mussa said that he expects tremendous Chinese investment in Malawi, and his country is set to benefit from duplicating China's economic miracle.

"China is an economic giant and we will see a big impact on the future of Malawi," the minister said.

He believed that the new partnership will "definitely" help Malawi evolve into an export economy.

President Bingu wa Mutharika announced a couple of years ago a plan to transform Malawi from an importer nation into a production and export one.

China, with its great market potential, is regarded by Malawi as a "dreamland" destination for its agricultural products.

Mussa said he is currently working on a basket of investment incentives, adding that his ministry is keen to create a favorable environment for investors.

The Malawian minister, who will soon lead a business mission to China to explore possible cooperation, said that local entrepreneurs are ready to team up with their Chinese counterparts to "touch deeper" Malawi's economic potential.

"Chinese investors are welcome to come and see the potential that we can offer and to establish joint ventures with locals," Mussa said.

"Through that, I think, we could achieve a win-win situation," the minister added.

Source: Xinhua