Figures from Chongqing Statistics Bureau showed that the municipality’s GDP reached nearly Rmb380bn during the first three quarters of 2009, up 13.4 per cent over the same period last year. This growth rate ranked it fifth nationwide, behind only Inner Mongolia, Tianjin, Guangxi and Sichuan. National average economic growth for the first three quarters was 7.7 per cent.

Chongqing’s industrial value-added reached nearly Rmb150bn, up 14.8 per cent year-on-year and accounting for more than 40 per cent of GDP. Consumer retail sales and value-added from the real estate sector, which grew 22 per cent and 15.3 per cent respectively, also contributed significantly to GDP growth.

According to Chongqing Development and Reform Commission, the scheme to subsidise electric domestic appliances for farmers has proved to be a huge success. By 30 September, more than 1m units were sold, totalling nearly Rmb2.1bn, ranking if first in the country.