A senior official with the Ministry of Commerce said that Western China will become a hot region for overseas investment over the 12th Five Year Plan (2011-2015) period.

Mr Cao Hongying, vice director of the Foreign Investment Department of the MOC said that the ministry plans to adopt measures such as hosting the Western China International Fair to make China's vast western region more attractive to foreign investment.

Mr Cao said that he expected rapid growth in foreign investment in western China in the years to come due to the area's abundant natural resources and huge market potential.

He added that besides the WCIF, the ministry would also provide favorable policies in the western region to help attract more overseas investment.

The 12th WCIF will be held from October 18th 2011 to October 22nd 2011 in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province.

(Sourced from Xinhua)