Shenzhen has rolled out a number of favorable policies covering six aspects to boost the elderly care service sector, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.
In terms of land use, planning and construction policies, it is stipulated that non-profit elderly care institutions run by private capital and elderly care institutions run by the government should enjoy the same land use policies, and use State-owned land as provided by allocation according to law.
In terms of preferential tax policies, elderly services such as daily care, rehabilitation care, spiritual comfort, cultural entertainment provided by elderly care institutions are exempt from value-added taxes. Elderly care institutions that are small and micro enterprises can also enjoy corresponding tax reductions or exemptions, according to the report.
Meanwhile, the city will waive the normal requirements of approval to set up clinics, infirmaries and nursing stations in elderly care institutions.
The policies have also increased the financing to elderly care institutions. For private non-enterprise elderly care institutions, the amount of subsidy for each new bed is 40,000 yuan (US$5,680). The subsidy will be given over four years.
For star-rated elderly care institutions certified by the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong Province, five-star institutions will be given a one-off reward of 300,000 yuan, while four-star and three-star institutions will be rewarded 200,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan, respectively.
Legally registered elderly care institutions registered in Shenzhen can also apply for subsidies to carry out employee training, according to the policies. The subsidy is up to 8,500 yuan per person per year for the employee training program.
According to statistics from the city’s civil affairs bureau, there are more than 300,000 elderly people registered in Shenzhen, accounting for about 7 percent of the total registered population. It is predicted that Shenzhen will meet or approach the classification of an aging society in 10 years.