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Taiwan firms invited to join rural home appliance program

By Yu Hongyan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-02-25 17:29

Companies from Taiwan are encouraged to take part in the mainland's ongoing rural home appliance subsidy program, Fan Liqing, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, told a press conference on Wednesday.

Related readings:  China promotes home appliance subsidy program in rural areas  Rural home appliance sales grow with subsidy  China expands rural home appliance subsidies

The subsidy program, launched on Feb 1, is intended to boost consumer spending in rural areas, helping home appliance companies to survive the financial crisis by expanding the domestic market, said Fan.

"It would be a good opportunity for companies from Taiwan," said Fan. "We welcome and encourage Taiwan companies to get involved in this program."

The home appliance subsidy program began on a pilot basis in three provinces in December 2007, and was extended nationwide from Feb 1, offering a 13 percent subsidy to rural purchasers of home appliances such as TV sets, refrigerators, mobile phones, freezers and washing machines.

A total of 177 companies on the mainland are taking part in the program, which is expected to boost consumer spending by 1.6 trillion yuan ($234 billion), according to earlier reports.