China's hi-tech imports and export enjoyed robust growth for the 1 quarter of the year, which posted 84 billion USD, a jump of 26.2 percent over the same period of last year. That contributes 28.5 percent to the country's total foreign trade.

The hi-tech imports reached 40.29 billion USD, up 20.4 percent while the exports valued 43.7 billion USD, up 32.3 percent.

This has been confirmed by Mr. Wei Jiangguo, Vice Minister of Commerce at the press conference for the 7th China Hi-tech Fair which will be held in Shenzhen in October this year.

He went on to disclose more measures to be taken this year to further boost the hi-tech export.

IT and other products identified as hi-tech intensive will continue to enjoy tax rebates policy. The "green corridor" will remain valid which exempts certain hi-tech exports from checks at customs.

For hi-tech exports from mid-west China, the customs proceeding will be streamlined. Exports valued 10 million USD are eligible to enjoy the policy, compared with 100 million in the past.

The access to the export credit is also easier than before. It is available to hi-tech exports valued 3 million USD or software valued 1 million. The threshold used to be 10 million and 5 million respectively.

Promise for better service of insurance is also made. Policy is supposed to be issued within 5 work days and claims to be handled in 3 months after necessary documents are filed.

The importance of standardized software exports is also recognized.

A national conference will be held this year at a "proper time" to draft a new blueprint to have the science and technology play a bigger and more effective role in trade.

By People's Daily Online