An insider from the National Energy Board told China Securities Journal yesterday that the energy industry had been ruled out of the "9+1 industries revitalization planning" project initiated by the State Council, and the real estate industry may take its place.

An expert said that though the Ministry of Construction officially denied they had been looking at revitalization planning for the real estate industry, a specific plan had been proposed to their leadership. Another expert confirmed the above information, adding that it was unlikely to emerge in the short-term. However, another official thought there was little possibility of its approval - even if it was published, it would be a series of policies aiming to stabilize the market, not a real part of "revitalization planning".

The nine industries targeted by revitalization planning are: steel, automotive, shipping, petrochemicals, textiles, light manufacturing, non-ferrous metals, equipment manufacturing, and electronic information. Many other industries are queuing up for admittance to this privileged group, wishing to share in the preferential policies on offer.

For more details, please read the complete Chinese story here at:

http://paper.cs.com.cn/html/2009-02/17/content_19901341.htm

(China.org.cn by Fan Junmei February 18, 2009)