Reuters - Dec 27 (Reuters) - China will increase imports of raw materials and energy products into the world's second largest economy in 2014, Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said on Friday.

Gao told the ministry's annual work conference that China will maintain steady growth in trade next year while speeding up
the export tax rebate process to support exports growth, according to a statement on the ministry's website, www.mofcom.gov.cn

Meanwhile, China's industrial output is likely to grow about 9.8 percent in 2013 from a year ago, while profit growth at industrial companies is seen at 13 percent, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Friday.

The ministry also said it would step up efforts to eliminate outdated capacity and promote mergers and acquisitions among steel, cement, shipping, solar panel and milk formula companies, according to a statement on its website www.miit.gov.cn.