A total of 23 countries in Asia, Africa, Oceania, North America and Europe have sent delegations to the ongoing Eighth China Hi-tech Fair with the intention of attracting investment from Shenzhen companies.

Instead of providing venture capital to Shenzhen-based high-tech companies, the countries are now trying to attract investment from the companies with their favorable terms, technology-oriented strategy and economic concessions.

The Consulate of France in Guangzhou sent a team from its Invest in France Agency to the high-tech fair to answer investors' questions about setting up offices or opening a production plant in the country.

"We provide specific answer in regulations, operating costs, labor law and related questions in either Chinese, English or French," said Chen Xiaoyi, an attache from the agency.

"Our mission is to help Chinese companies find the most profitable and competitive solution in France for their business in the eurozone."

Delegations from the city's sister-city Vienne, the province of Languedoc Roussillon in southern France and its capital Montpellier are also attending the fair.

The city of Montpellier has promised to assign staff to help investors settle down, deal with administrative and legal procedures, and recruit employees.

The Vienna Business Agency and Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry even promised US$37.5 billion in public subsidies from high-tech research and development from the European Framework Programs, covering fields such as biotechnology, nanoscience, aeronautics and ecosystem.

Representatives of Daedeok Innopolis in South Korea said the industrial zone provides tax relief and "an ombudsman in the event of difficulties" for local high-tech companies.

Delegations from Israel and Bavaria are also present at the fair.

Local telecommunications giants ZTE and Huawei, and computer manufacturer Lenovo have set up research and development centers in Europe.

According to the municipal technology and information bureau, the output from the high-tech industry reached 358.2 billion yuan (US$44.78 billion) between January and August, accounting for 50 percent of the city's total industrial output.

Editor: Yan