A raft of stimulus packages aimed at spurring Taiwan’s economy to hit the target growth rate of 3 percent for 2013 is being mulled by the ROC Cabinet.
The packages include boosting private consumption and stock markets, fast-tracking government procurements and public infrastructure projects, and implementing innovation promotion programs, sources familiar with the matter said May 20.
Set for launch by the end of the month, the packages will feature such initiatives as part funding of energy-efficient home appliance purchases and relaxing rules on subsidizing buses and taxi replacements.
Chen Jenn-chuan, minister of the Public Construction Commission, said the PCC is working to have implementation dates of all public infrastructure projects moved up.
The minister said the commission has directed all relevant agencies to monitor 15 major projects and remove all possible hurdles that might impede their implementation.
The PCC will impose strict schedule management and set up a progress system for these key projects, he said, adding that it will take punitive action against contractors who fall behind work schedules and/or suffer major industrial disputes.
Chen said all efforts will be made to avoid delays in public infrastructure projects, with particular attention paid to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport mass rapid transit system.
Repeated slowdowns in the completion of this key project are hamstringing Taiwan’s economic development, Chen said. (SFC-JSM)
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