China plans to give priority to innovative products produced by Chinese-owned or -controlled enterprises in government procurement, an official said on Monday.

 

Such innovative products needs to be certified before they can be recommended for government procurement and major engineering projects, according to new regulations issued at the end of 2006 by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance.

 

Qin Yong, a deputy director with MOST, said companies, including joint-ventures that are majority owned by Chinese, can register their products with the National Innovative Products List which is scheduled to be issued later this year.

 

The products must be high quality with registered intellectual property rights, according to the regulation.

 

MOST is preparing an application and evaluation process which will be completed this year, said Qin.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2007)