Foreign companies may soon be able to take part in government procurement tenders, the state-run China Daily reports.

The newspaper quotes Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen, who told a news conference held on Friday that international firms could bid on government contracts if their products were made in Mainland China.

Vice-Minister of the Chinese General Administration of Customs, Li Guo, was also quoted as saying that government bodies were allowed to offer policies to attract foreign investment, based on the economic development of their cities and provinces.

The State Council last month approved a directive that aims to provide more opportunities for foreign companies to take part in an efficient investment environment.