The next five years will be an important period for the development of China's software industry, said Commerce Minister Bo Xilai on a ministerial summit on June 22 during the China International Software and Information Services Fair and a top entrepreneurs forum in Dalian. The Ministry of Commerce will create conditions for the development in the following six areas.

First, continue to optimize the policy environment. The Ministry of Commerce and relevant departments will roll out policies to encourage the development of software industry and standardize management of software exports. At the same time, they will actively push forward the building of software export bases and establish contact systems for key software export enterprises.

Second, boost the coordinative development of software and hardware. Attention should be paid to software exports just like to hardware. Software exports will be brought about through expanding the exports of new and high-tech products such as IT ones. The "combined development'' and application of software and hardware will be encouraged, centering the new and high-tech products of computer and telecommunications equipment.

Third, encourage and help domestic companies build their own brands.

Fourth, improve software enterprises to develop in line with internationalized way. The ministry will encourage foreign investment in China's new and high-tech industries, especially the software technical sectors. Software multinationals will be encouraged to set up high-level research and development centers in China, and domestic software enterprises will be encouraged to engage in joint venture and cooperation with foreign-funded enterprises. Meanwhile, the ministry will conduct more exchanges and co-operation with software companies from the United States, the European Union, Japan and India, countries or international organizations that either have developed a mature mechanism for the development of the software industry or are rich in experience.

Fifth, personnel training will be paid attention to and strengthened.

Sixth, encourage independence and innovations, enhancing the protection of self-owned intellectual property rights.

By People's Daily Online