​Consumer services industry to be boosted in Shanxi

North China's Shanxi province recently issued the "Action Plan for Enhancing the Quality and Efficiency of the Service Industry in 2024", which proposes the promotion and diversification of the province's consumer services industry, focusing on fields such as trade and commerce, culture and tourism, elderly care, household services as well as real estate.

The province will support the development of new business models, such as live-streaming e-commerce and real-time retail, as well as create new consumption drivers such as smart homes, entertainment, tourism and popular domestic products. Locally distinctive night markets and consumption clusters will also be established to boost the province's night economy.

At the same time, Shanxi will strive to promote the integrated development of its culture and tourism sectors by creating locally distinctive clusters in 10 counties (cities, districts) as well as building 50 demonstration zones for the integration of culture, tourism, and health and wellness.

Furthermore, 100 rural elderly care service centers will be established by renovating existing township nursing homes. Additionally, about 3,000 rural daytime elderly care centers will be built to improve elderly meal assistance services in rural areas.

While encouraging domestic service practitioners to participate in home-based elderly care services, Shanxi will also establish local service brands and foster domestic service enterprises.

In addition, the province will support the construction of 8,308 affordable rental houses in Taiyuan, Datong and other cities. This will address temporary housing difficulties for new urban residents, young people, and other vulnerable groups.