BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's entrepreneur confidence index remained high in the third quarter of 2007 with half of the respondents optimistic about their growth prospects.

    The index slipped to 143 points, compared with 143.1 points in the second quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS).

    The index, measuring the understanding, views and projections of entrepreneurs, ranges from zero to 200. When it is higher than 100, it indicates optimism for economic boom. But when it is lower than 100, it means expectation for economic downturn.

    Of the 19,500 companies surveyed nationwide, 50.1 percent said they were optimistic about the overall performance of their industries and 42.7 percent acknowledged little change had occurred in the growth environment.

    The entrepreneurs enjoyed high confidence and expectations for China's current and future macroeconomic development, according to the NBS.

    Rising minerals prices made mining companies the most confident, with the index rising to 162 points from 161.7 points in the second quarter.

    The entrepreneur confidence index of the manufacturing sector slumped to 140.5 points, a drop of 1.3 points from the second quarter, according to the survey.