A pilot program to replace the business tax with a value-added tax in the transport sector and certain service sectors will be rolled out to other sectors nationwide on Aug 1, the Finance Ministry announced on Tuesday.

As well as transport and some modern service sectors including research and development, information technology and consulting, the program will be expanded to radio, film and television industries, according to a notice on the ministry's website.

The railway transport, postal and telecommunication sectors are to be added "when the time is right", Premier Li Keqiang said at a State Council executive meeting on April 10.