Some 65 multinational companies invested 2.61 billion U.S. dollars in 134 projects in Hebei last year.

　　Statistics show that overseas investment in the manufacturing of telecommunications equipment last year hit 220 million U.S. dollars, up 34.4 percent on a year-to-year basis. And some 23.2 million U.S. dollars went into research and development of computer software.

　　The province will continue to provide opportunities for investment in the sectors of finance, insurance, telecommunications, tourism, legal consultancy, infrastructure construction and environmental protection, according to local government officials.

　　Hebei, with an area of 188,000 square kilometers and a population of 66 million, has a wealth of natural resources and convenient transportation.