Facts and Figures: Macao's booming economy since return to China

China's Macao Special Administration Region (MSAR) marked its seventh anniversary of return to the motherland on Wednesday.

Following are the facts and figures about the region's booming economy.

-- From 1999 to 2006, GDP growth rate rose from -2.4 percent to 15.6 percent.

-- From 1999 to 2006, jobless rate decreased from 6.3 percent to 3.8 percent.

-- From 1999 to 2006, visitor arrivals increased from 7.44 million to above 20 million.

-- From 1999 to 2006, number of newly established companies rose from 439 to 3,072.

Source: Xinhua