According to China's Ministry of Commerce, a total of 2.7 million units of "home appliances going to the countryside" have been sold in the first quarter of 2009 for 4 billion yuan. Of these 2.7 million units, 1.485 million units were sold in March for 2.24 billion yuan, representing an increase of 70 percent and 72 percent year-on-year, respectively.
The "home appliances going to the countryside" program has stimulated the development of the electronic manufacturing and home appliance industries. It has also boosted the development of various industries, including chemical engineering and mechanical manufacturing of steel, such as sheet steel.
Li Yizhong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China, said that, "Facts prove that if the "home appliances going to the countryside" program continues to last for one year, two years or three years, it is likely to produce very noticeable effects in improving the development of the electronics industry and electronic manufacturing industry."
The "home appliances going to the countryside" program started back in December 2007. Under the program, farmers who purchased home appliances which were included on the subsidy list received partial financial subsidies. At first, the program was given a trial run in Shandong, Henan and Sichuan provinces as well as in Qingdao. Its scope was then expanded to 14 provinces in 2008.
This year, all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government are planned to be included in the program. After farmers buy the products within the scope of the program, they can apply to the town and township financial sectors of their registered residence within a specified time for subsidies after showing relevant documents. And finally, the county (and county city) financial departments, after examination and review, will transfer the subsidy funds to the farmers' saving accounts.
By People's Daily Online
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