Western China's Tibet Autonomous Region realized 3.868 billion yuan (about US$466 million) in gross domestic product in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year growth of 12.6 percent in terms of comparable prices.

According to the regional statistics bureau, in the three-month period, industrial gross production value realized over 317.18 million yuan (US$38.1 million), up 24.6 percent over the same time of last year.

The bureau also says trade volume of the autonomous region rose by 55.7 percent to US$47.65 million during the same period.

The investment in fixed assets increased by 14.2 percent to 362.17 million yuan (US$43.6 million) in the first three months this year.

By the end of March, a total of 342 million yuan (US$41.2 million) on key projects had been completed while another 10 investment-inviting items have been contracted with a total of 413million yuan (US$49.7).
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2004)