Investors drawn to Xinjiang
Updated: 2012-09-03 07:47
By Bao Chang in Urumqi (China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is playing a key role in Asian and European countries' investments in China, officials said on Sunday at the second China-Eurasia Expo.
"Linking China to Asian and European countries, Xinjiang has become one of the most popular investing destinations for investors from other countries," said Erkin Imirbakhi, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Xinjiang Regional People's Congress, at the expo's 2012 Eurasian Investment Promotion Agencies Roundtable.
Premier Wen Jiabao, together with political leaders from other participant countries, attend the opening ceremony of the second China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Sunday. Wang Jing / China Daily |
"Thanks to its geographic advantage and rich reserve of resources, Xinjiang has tremendous business opportunities that attract investors worldwide," he said.
Figures from the Xinjiang regional government show that since this year, apart from Xinjiang's capital Urumqi, Kashgar and Hami prefectures have seen fast foreign-capital inflows, which have increased by 143 and 30.8 times year-on-year respectively.
The roundtable conference is a key forum during the second China-Eurasia Expo, which kicked off on Sunday in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.
More than 160 investment agencies from 15 countries, including Britain, France, Italy, Mongolia and Pakistan, attended the round table targeting at investment promotion and Eurasian regional economic collaboration.
Antonino Laspina, director of the Italian Trade Commission in China, said that according to China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), Northwest China is one of the most promising regions, given its huge potential.
Led by Laspina, 11 Italian companies have come to Xinjiang to seek business opportunities at the expo.
Tsedenjav Sukhbaatar, Mongolia's ambassador to China, said that Mongolia, which borders Xinjiang, attaches great importance to relations between the two nations.
"The cooperation with Xinjiang can promote our relations with nearby countries, which link both Central Asia and Europe," Sukabaatar said.
By now, foreign investment to Xinjiang has surpassed $3 billion, with more than 500 foreign investors seeking a foothold in the region, and the investment is undergoing its most rapid growth.
Foreign companies engage mostly in the energy, mining and manufacturing industries.
baochang@chinadaily.com.cn
- Relief reaches isolated village
- Rainfall poses new threats to quake-hit region
- Funerals begin for Boston bombing victims
- Quake takeaway from China's Air Force
- Obama celebrates young inventors at science fair
- Earth Day marked around the world
- Volunteer team helping students find sense of normalcy
- Ethnic groups quick to join rescue efforts
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |