Guangdong governor Huang Huahua has promised to offer more business opportunities to investors and representatives from the European Union to further expand his province's ties with the economic bloc.

 

He said EU companies could profit from investing in the southern Chinese province.

 

Guangdong Province has advanced infrastructure but lacks energy and resources. It relies heavily on overseas financial support and technological cooperation to sustain its economic growth.

 

"Guangdong is hoping to attract more investors from Europe to develop its manufacturing, hi-tech and environmental protection industries in the future," Huang told the EU ambassador to China Serge Abou early this week.

 

"There is plenty of scope for investment from EU companies as the province strives to become a world factory for new and hi-tech industries and an international service and logistics center," Huang said.

 

Huang also welcomed more big-name European companies, and small- and medium-sized enterprises to set up their research and development centers in Guangdong.

 

He pledged further improvement of the province's investment and business environment as well as service to foreign investors and businesspeople.

 

Huang said he expects neighboring Hong Kong and Macao will continue to act as a bridge linking Guangdong to Europe.

 

Abou arrived in Guangzhou, the provincial capital, on Monday, seeking an expansion of economic cooperation between Guangdong and the European Union.

 

Abou said he hoped to advance the European Union's cooperation with Guangdong in education, tourism and trade, and that more EU companies were likely to explore the myriad of business opportunities in the province.

 

Guangdong's economic links with Europe have expanded steadily in recent years.

 

(China Daily April 13, 2007)