Simplex Chithyora Banda, Minister of Trade and Industry of Malawi is interviewed at sidelines of a forum held in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province on June 30, 2023. Photo: Tu Lei/GT

Malawi is eager for Chinese companies to help develop the local travel industry as the country has abundant tourism resources, said Simplex Chithyora Banda, minister of trade and industry for Malawi, at a forum held in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province on Friday.

Malawi has many attractive places including the third-largest lake in Africa as well as beautiful mountains and many tourist attractions, the minister told the Global Times on the sidelines of the Third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo held in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province on Friday.

The expo has attracted representatives from 53 African countries and 12 international organizations, with deals worth $19.1 billion expected to be signed.

Malawi offers opportunities in trade and investment in Africa, said the minister, emphasizing that Malawi has the potential to cultivate a wide range of crops, making it possible to produce nearly everything consumed in China.

Official data shows that Malawi has a population of 20 million, which is expected to grow to 26 million by 2023, with 80 percent of the population under the age of 35. The agricultural sector contributes 23 percent of the country's GDP, and the main export goods are tobacco, tea, coffee and sugar.

New energy is also an increasingly important area for investment, as the government is pushing energy transformation with a focus on clean energy. Mining is another key sector that is in need of investment, the minister said.

Regarding bilateral trade with China, Banda said China has proven to be a true friend for Africa. "We believe that the partnership between Malawi and China will benefit Malawi greatly," he said.