According to sources with the 2003 regional government meeting on the regional economy, Tibet aims to maintain an annual economic growth rate of 12 percent and an increase of 10 percent in fixed assets investment.

The regional government is trying to invest 12 billion yuan (1.5 billion US dollars) in 109 key projects, including 78 proposed by the central government.

Several major construction projects are underway in the region, including the Qinghai-Tibet railway Tibet section, Nyingchi Airport and the renovation of Tibet University.

By the end of 2003, the annual per capita net income of Tibetan farmers would rise to 1,690 yuan (206 US dollars), said Xu Mingyang, executive vice-chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

According to figures from the regional statistics bureau, Tibet 's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 3.4 billion yuan (415 million US dollars) in the first three months, up 10.4 percent year on year. It has witnessed an average annual GDP growth rate of 10.9 percent over the last five years.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2003)