Sources with the Beijing Municipal Foreign Economic and Trade Commission say an official scheme to build an international garment town will soon be released.

According to the commission, Beijing now has more than 1,370 clothing makers, some large-scale producers.

Meanwhile, the bustling business districts of Xidan, Wangfujing and Yansha attract people from cities adjacent to Beijing.

Both the healthy industrial base and big potential market have made the plan sound, said a commission official, adding that the strategy will also promote Beijing's image and create more job opportunities for developing related industries.

According to the scheme, four garment production bases will be established along the fifth and sixth ring roads in Beijing. Preferential policies will be given to 10 top brands to expand their businesses. Three clothes shop streets are also planned in downtown areas.

Beijing will earmark 6 million yuan (723,000 US dollars) a year in the coming six years to upgrade technology and host international design contests and exhibitions, say the sources.

The Chinese capital city has spent millions of dollars on the hi-tech industry and its own Silicon Valley, Zhongguancun. Beijingthis year started to look for other development opportunities and announced recently it would build a car production base in its suburbs.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2002)