Christina Liu, new minister of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, expressed strong optimism regarding Taiwan’s economy May 20, citing an upbeat forecast by the International Monetary Fund.
“The IMF projected in April that Taiwan’s real economic growth rate this year will hit 6.5 percent, and based on this forecast, I think it is possible for Taiwan to attain 6-percent growth this year,” Liu said. The IMF also predicted Taiwan would outpace the other Asian tigers—South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong—this year economically.
“We shouldn’t overlook the IMF’s forecast that Taiwan would outperform the three other Asian tigers in the period 2013 to 2015, proving that the world has recognized Taiwan’s economic excellence,” Liu said.
Taiwan has not been foremost among the four Asian tigers for a long time, the minister noted. However, Taiwan outshone its competitors during the economic downturn and will steadily move forward and secure No.1 status, Liu added.
Stressing the importance of economic growth, Liu said the government, especially the CEPD, is obliged to lower unemployment, fight off inflation and reduce the income gap between rich and poor at the same time.
She also spoke of Taiwan’s past economic achievements in the 1950s and 60s, saying the policy of trade liberalization not only created an economic miracle but also achieved a balanced income distribution.
“As long as we face trade liberalization bravely, Taiwan is bound to thrive, given its large pool of well-trained, talented and creative people,” Liu said.
Liu remarked at her swearing-in ceremony, hosted by Minister without Portfolio Yiin Chii-ming, that she feels enormous responsibility but is glad to be able to proceed from the solid foundation her predecessor Tsai Hsung-hsiung laid down.
(KP-THN)