SOFIA, July 23 -- Bulgarian Ministry of Economy and Energy (MEE) and the Development and Reform Commission of east China's Anhui Province signed first Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation, officials said Wednesday evening.

"The Memorandum will enable businesses and organizations from Bulgaria and Anhui Province to develop investment and trade cooperation, and jointly explore opportunities for cooperation in the implementation of joint projects in areas of mutual interest," Krasin Dimitrov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Energy said at the signing ceremony according to a MEE press release.

Zhang Shaochun, Director of Anhui Development and Reform Commission, signed the memorandum on behalf of his organization, the press release said. He is a member of the official delegation of Anhui Province led by Zhang Baoshun, Party Chief of Anhui Province, which is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of MEE.

"The purpose of our visit, which is at the highest level in 10 years, is to deepen exchanges and cooperation in sectors such as economy, agriculture and education," Zhang said.

He hoped cooperation between Anhui Province and Bulgarian MEE would encourage investment, and provide the basis for cooperation between enterprises and development of the business in the two countries, Zhang said.

In 2013, trade exchange between Bulgaria and China reached 1.8 billion U.S. dollars, with about a third of it done with Anhui Province, the press release added.