Taiwan Today

The Cabinet is deliberating a plan to promote Taiwan cuisine internationally with the intention of boosting development of the restaurant industry and generating tourism, officials said March 26. The plan, unveiled during a meeting of the Committee on the Promotion of the Service Industry under the Executive Yuan, calls on the government to set up 3,500 display stores and 50 brand names between 2010 and 2013. It also envisions creating 10,000 new jobs during the same time period, while spurring private investments in the amount of NT$20 billion (US$629 million). Prepared and submitted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the plan is divided into two main parts: promoting an international outlook in Taiwan, and promoting Taiwan at the international level. For the former, some of the specific proposals include establishing an International Cuisine Friendship Society, raising the level of cuisine in Taiwan and helping local restaurateurs with international exchanges. As to promoting Taiwanese food internationally, some ideas include helping local restaurants to set up branches or display stores abroad, establishing Taiwan gourmet centers and marketing Taiwanese cuisine internationally. Some committee members suggested establishing a Taiwan cuisine section at the Taoyuan International Airport, so that international travelers transiting in Taiwan can get a chance to taste Taiwan cuisine. They also suggested establishing international cuisine festivals to raise the visibility of Taiwan. Other committee members suggested that a certification system be set up so that uniform ratings can be used to assess the quality of food-service personnel, the types of ingredients used at restaurants, and the general level of a restaurant’s cuisine and services. In addition, it was suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission be enlisted to provide the necessary assistance in implementing the plan. The Committee on the Promotion of the Service Industry was established in December 2009. Its convener is Tsai Hsung-Hsiung, minister of the Council for Economic Planning and Development. Committee members are drawn from nine government ministries and agencies. External committee members include Chen Tain-jy, professor of economics at National Taiwan University, Francis Chen, founder and president of Franz Collection Inc., and Lee Pei-fen, secretary-general of the Association of Service Industries, Taiwan. (HZW)