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BEIJING, April 16 -- China will further streamline approval procedures for foreign direct investment and channel more FDI into the underdeveloped western and central parts of the country, an official from the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

The move is part of the governments efforts to boost FDI inflow, which has been affected by the global financial crisis. China had authorized its provinces to approve FDI proposals worth up to $100 million last month.

MOFCOM spokesperson Yao Jian said the country would ensure a more convenient environment for examination and approval of FDI proposals and launch policies to spur foreign investment flow into Chinas central and western regions.

"FDI is of great significance in creating jobs and stimulating the economy," Yao said.

The ministry will also encourage investment in sectors such as hi-tech, services and environment protection, facilitate the establishment of more provincial-level economic and technological development areas, as well as mergers and acquisitions activity under the Chinese anti-monopoly law, Yao said.

MOFCOM statistics revealed that the value of FDI in March fell by 9.5 percent year-on-year, the sixth monthly drop in a row. FDI touched $8.4 billion in March, the largest ever in the past six months, but the monthly decline rate was far lower than that of the previous months; it had dropped by 32.7 percent in January and 15.8 percent in February.

In 2008, foreign investors in China, who accounted for 3 percent of the nations total by number, contributed 30 percent to industrial output, 55 percent to its imports and exports, and created 11 percent of urban jobs.

In the first quarter, FDI in