May 14 – The foreign investment promotion plan for central China was released on April 30 aiming to improve the service in urban public utilities, urban finance, commerce, education, medical treatment and logistics to attract foreign investment.

The plan focuses on business-friendly policies, discounted loans, and reduced transaction costs to attract foreign investors setting up business in China’s central provinces.

Furthermore, the local provincial governments in central China have stated that they will improve the investment environment in the region by offering services such as established information systems and economic industrial zones.

According to the figures released by the Ministry of Commerce, foreign direct investment in China increased 25 percent year on year in April, compared with March’s 12.08 percent.

“China’s FDI started to rebound in August last year after a sharp decrease in the first half because of the global financial crisis. ” said Liu Yajun, director of the ministry’s investment promotion department, during an international investment summit in Fuzhou, China. “The recovery was boosted by the nation’s stimulus measures, improved investment environment, and strong foreign investor confidence.”