JiangXi Province welcomes more foreign investments

China's Jiangxi Province is trying to attract foreign investments to fuel local economic development, said provincial vice-governor Zhu Yingpei at a symposium recently in Beijing.          Foreign-funded enterprises have contributed greatly to the sustainable and rapid economic growth of the province. By the end of last year, the province had used a total foreign investment of more than US$4.42 billion from 58 countries and regions including the United States, Japan, Singapore, the Hong Kong Special Administration Region and Taiwan Province. Nearly 5,000 foreign-funded enterprises were approved in transportation, energy, agriculture, electronics, automobile, household appliances, food and pharmaceutical sectors.         Zhu noted that with the country's pending entry into the World Trade Organization, foreign investors will get wider market access in finance, insurance, stock and telecommunications sectors in the province.         Zhu stressed the agricultural sector is the top priority for foreign investors and the province also needs more foreign investments in infrastructure. The provincial government plans to establish a 100-hectare high-technology agricultural zone this year in Xinfeng County and to construct more than 1,000 kilometres of expressways over the next three to five years.          Zhu said foreign investment is also welcome in the burgeoning tourism sector, which has been designated as one of the province's economic pillars. The government encourages foreign business to invest in scenic spot construction and foreign travel agencies to open branches or co-operate with local counterparts.          Foreign investors are also encouraged to participate in the restructuring of the province's State-owned enterprises (SOE), Zhu added.