BEIJING. Aug 7: China plans to Implement a package of preferential policies to boost exports of hltechnology products to 14 per cent of overall exports by 2002. versus the present six per cent, state media reported today, says AFP.

Through the package of policies, China aims to increase its exports of hitech products by 30 per cent annually beginning this year, said China Daily.

The policies will be drawn up by the ministry of foreign trade and economic cooperation and the ministry of science and technology, it added.

Five hi-tech areas — Information. bio-medicine, high value-added new materials, consumer electronic products, and family appliances — have been designated as the first group of products to benefit from the government's preferential treatment and other incentives.

There is also a plan to cultivate hi-tech product development zones, cities, and companies, and set-up a nationwide hi-tech exports information service network, and launch annual hi-tech fairs, the report said.

In addition, the two ministries will establish special coordinating bodies for the implementation of the package.

MOFTC Minister Shi Guansheng first put forward the strategy of boosting exports through science and technology early this year, saying China’s export of hi-tech products was far too low. Xinhua reported.

China needs to catch up with India and other developing nations in terms of hi-tech exports, Shi had said then.