BEIJING, Feb 4: China on Wednesday increased export tax rebates for textile and garment makers to 15 per cent from 14 percent, its latest measure to support the beleaguered industries.

Support for these industries is part of the Chinese government’s overall campaign to support its economy, which slowed to a seven-year low of 9.0 percent growth last year.

Textile and clothing factories are big employers of semi-skilled labour, casting them in an important role as the government worries that job losses in the economic downturn could fray social stability.

Just two years ago, the government had steadily lowered VAT rebates on textile exports as it sought to propel its then-roaring economy into higher-value manufacturing. But it began to backtrack in August last year, lifting rebates from a low of 11 per cent.—Reuters