The Asian Investment Strategy program initiated by the European
Union will focus on China's western regions, said an EU official on
Tuesday.
"The Asian Investment Strategy aims to provide investment to the
regions where economy development level is below the average of the
country," said Vincent Piket, an EU official in charge of the Asian
aid programs.
"As for China, our focus is the west," said Piket at a press
briefing following the two-day Asian Investment Forum held in
Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The EU will increase its investment in west China, including
Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai provinces,
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Tibet Autonomous Region,
according to the third-phase plan of the Asian Investment Strategy
(2006-2007).
The EU will provide between 75 percent and 95 percent of the
capital depending on the development needs, said Piket.
The Asian Investment Forum, which aims to facilitate
international trade and investment between European and small and
medium-sized Asian enterprises, was initiated in 1998 by the Europe
Commission.
It has so far launched over 300 investment projects, involving
more than 1,000 organizations.
The forum has been held five times and this year's was the
second time China played host. Beijing was host city in 2002.
(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2006)