BEIJING - China's light industry is likely to witness an annual increase of 9 percent in its value-added industrial output during the 2011-2015 period, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said Thursday.

The ministry published a guideline to support the development of light industry during the country's 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), according to which the annual growth of the sector's exports will average around 7.5 percent during the period.

The guideline warned of potential risks for the sector, including a complicated international trade environment, rising production costs and resource restraints.

It said the government plans to improve the international competitiveness of light industry commodities, encourage technological innovation in the sector, expand global markets and optimize the structure of exports during the coming period.

China has grown into the world's largest maker of more than 100 kinds of light industry commodities, including home appliances, leather, plastic products and food.

According to the guideline, the country exported $355.5 billion in light industry commodities to more than 230 nations and regions in 2010. The export value was 83.1 percent higher than that of 2005.