Light industry

The light industry posted recovery this year, buoyed by stimulus plans and the subsidy plan for farmers' to purchase home appliances.

Industrial output of the sector showed a 7.6 percent year-on-year growth in the first two months. It was 3.8 percentage points higher than the whole industry.

The light industry posted recovery this year, buoyed by stimulus plans and the subsidy plan for farmers' to purchase home appliances. [CFP]

The first quarter saw an 8.5 percent drop in exports of furniture and units, 13.8 percent drop in toys, 16.5 percent drop in plastic products and 14.9 percent drop in colored TV sets.

The government decided to raise export rebates to 17 percent for colored TV sets, 13 percent for glass products and 11 percent for plastic products.

Chen Shineng, honorary president of China National Light Industry Council, urged enterprises to explore new markets such as the Middle East, Russia, Southeast Asia and South America, while maintaining shares in the US, Europe and Japan.

They should rely on domestic market and develop products for new rural construction, healthcare, education and post-quake reconstruction, he said.

The financial crisis was a test for the country's light industry, he added, urging technology improvement and innovation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2009)