The Tibet Autonomous Region expected to gain 10.3 billion yuan in gross domestic product for 1999, 9.1 percent higher than the previous year's figure, according to a regional economic conference held Tuesday in Lhasa.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Tibet's economic growth has surpassed the national average growth rate.

The region harvested 917,000 tons of grain last year, up 7.9 percent over the previous year. The output value of township-run enterprises was 630 million yuan, a 26 percent increase.

The per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen averaged 1,250 yuan annually, a 7.9 percent increase.

Industrial output value increased by 7.8 percent. Electricity, gold-mining and cement production registered considerable increases.

Service trade maintained a fast growth with an added value reaching 4.5 billion yuan, an increase of 12.7 percent. The total volume of import and export was 166 million US dollars., an increase of 51 percent compared with 1998.

Tibet received 108,000 overseas visitors last year, earning 36 million US dollars. (Xinhua)