ROC President Ma Ying-jeou launched the National Development Council Jan. 22 in Taipei City, underscoring efforts to streamline the central government and foster Taiwan’s sustainable development.
“Facing challenges at home and abroad, Taiwan needs a national strategy that can create opportunities amid severe global competition yet, at the same time, promote social development and transform the local economy,” Ma said.
“The council will lead the charge in this regard, preparing the nation for Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership accession, as well as fast-tracking the Free Economic Pilot Zones.”
Combining the Council for Economic Planning and Development; Research, Development and Evaluation Commission and parts of the Public Construction Commission, the new body is headed by Minister without Portfolio Kuan Chung-ming, who was the former CEPD minister. The NDC is responsible for policymaking and coordination, resource allocation and evaluation of Taiwan’s economic, industrial and social development.
Also attending the NDC launch, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said he expects the new body to harness the synergy created through the merger of the three agencies and boost government efficiency.
“The council will play a central role in Taiwan’s policymaking, talent training and balanced regional development,” Jiang said, adding that another NDC task is to propose measures aimed at enhancing national competitiveness.
“In addition to spurring and sustaining Taiwan’s economic development, an equally important goal of the council is to promote social justice, especially in addressing the widening wealth gap and ensuring income equality.”
According to Kuan, the council will be the engine room for Taiwan’s development strategies, with its top priority progressive policymaking that boosts public confidence in the future.
“In addition to the FEPZs, the council is set to propose new strategies for promoting commodity and service exports, while carrying out reforms to build Taiwan into a center of innovation,” Kuan said.
“Of equal importance, the council will pursue further trade liberalization and market opening measures as way of establishing new industries and revitalizing the local economy,” he added. (SFC-JSM)
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