Head of Italian Trade Promotion Agency (ICE) Riccardo Monti said, "Italy has good relations with China, but has not achieved its potential yet."

He noted that Italy is only China's 22nd trade partner, despite being among the 10 most industrialized countries in the world.

"Italian companies are still suffering from the economic crisis, especially due to lack of lending support, and having a big Chinese bank at their side is a remarkable growth factor," Monti highlighted.

"I know that Chinese banks have the potential to enormously contribute to enhance business exchanges between the two countries, " he stressed.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's official visit to China from Tuesday to Thursday will be a valuable occasion to further boost bilateral trade partnership especially in the sustainable urbanization, healthcare, environmental protection and modern agriculture sectors, Monti said.

BOC set for rate liberalization	Top 10 trading partners of the Chinese mainland