(Yicai) Jan. 8 -- China will expand its home appliance trade-in program this year to include dishwashers, water purifiers, microwave ovens, and rice cookers to boost consumption.

The subsidy program will cover 12 categories, up from eight, according to a document released jointly by the National Development and Reform Commission and the finance ministry today.

Xu Dongsheng, vice chairman of the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, told Yicai that the policy expansion should stimulate consumption.

Under the policy, individual consumers purchasing energy-efficient and water-saving products from any of the 12 categories -- including refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, air conditioners, and computers -- can receive subsidies of 15 to 20 percent of the product price. Consumers are eligible for one subsidy per product category, with a maximum subsidy of CNY2,000 (USD273) per item. Air conditioners are an exception, with subsidies available for up to three units.

Liu Jiyuan, deputy director at home appliance consultancy AVC, noted that the addition of four major categories extends subsidies from large to small appliances. This expansion will accelerate market penetration for products such as dishwashers and water purifiers, establishing a foundation for the industry's future development, Liu added.

To further boost sales, home appliance company executives have suggested that China should ease its subsidy policies for cross-regional sales on e-commerce platforms. Specifically, they recommend that online flagship stores should be able to utilize subsidy policies when selling products to other domestic regions.

Editor: Emmi Laine