| Tibet's rate of economic growth highest for a decade |
LHASA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The gross domestic product (GDP) of southwest China's Tibet grew 13.4 percent to 29 billion yuan (3.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2006, the highest growth rate since 1995, the region's chief statistician said on Thursday.
"The region's fixed asset investment reached 23.2 billion yuan (2.9 billion U.S. dollars) last year, an 18.4 percent year-on-year increase," said Jinme Doje, director of the Tibet Statistics Bureau.
The growth of fixed asset investment was mainly due to the region's infrastructure development, such as housing projects for herders and farmers, and the introduction of private investment, Jinme said.
Per capita GDP in Tibet reached 10,396 yuan (1,332 U.S. dollars) last year.
Tibet witnessed an average annual GDP growth of 12 percent between 2001 and 2005. The region's GDP growth was 17.9 percent in 1995.
The operation of the Qinghai-Tibet railway last July, which linked the region more closely with other parts of China, is believed to be another key factor in the region's development.
The reopening of border trade at the Nathu La Pass bordering Tibet and India, which also occurred last July, also boosted the region's economic development, according to analysts.
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