In China, online shopping complaints and disputes rose sharply in 2014. (Photo : www.thenextweb.com)
In an effort to boost China's consumption and services, the government is eyeing to quadruple the express delivery market by 2020, targeting its annual revenue at 800 billion yuan.
According to a policy document released by the State Council on Monday, the move comes as the economic slowdown has softened the country's trade and investment.
The targeted revenue is nearly four times the 2014 figure, which stood at 204 billion yuan, a 42 percent increase year-on-year.
The State Council noted that in order to achieve this, the government will establish a safe and efficient express delivery system equipped with advanced technologies and services. It will have a nationwide coverage and international connections, the cabinet added.
Compared with last year's 14 billion, the market should be able to a handle a total of 50 billion express delivery packages annually.
This boost in the industry should in turn offer 200,000 new jobs every year, which will support the 10 trillion yuan retail sales and serve a daily average of 270 million customers.
Nonetheless, analysts pointed out some problems the industry needs to address. These include lack of global competitiveness, backward infrastructure, low efficiency and safety loopholes.
To take action, the cabinet stated that the government will call for the use of big data, cloud computing and mobile Internet to boost efficiency.
The government will also simplify procedures for delivery firms and subsidize infrastructure construction in western and rural areas.
Amid the recent economic slowdown, the express delivery market has seen steady growth. Most experts have attributed this feat to the rising popularity of online shopping in China.
Over the past six years, the amount of express delivery packages has already increased 8.2 times. For the first half of 2015, the deliveries rose by 43 percent year on year.
