An Internet white paper aimed at mapping out the development of information communications technology-related policymaking and implementation in Taiwan is under consideration by the Cabinet.
Ide@Taiwan 2020 is expected to lay a solid foundation for countrywide digitalization in five years and strategic promotion of related sectors. Proposed by the National Development Council, the initiative comprises 192 existing projects and 70 newly formulated plans aimed at enhancing Taiwan’s inclusive, interconnected and intelligent capabilities.
Premier Mao Chi-kuo said July 2 that given the rapid rate of change in ICT, government agencies need to make timely adjustments to ensure innovation, private-sector involvement and public welfare are at the center of respective measures.
“By enhancing public communications and engaging all sectors of society, this undertaking will strengthen Taiwan’s Internet infrastructure and promote cyber economy, intelligent homeland planning, smart living and transparent governance.”
According to the NDC, top priority will be given to expanding transmission access, improving laws regulating the cyber world and protecting information security in regard to Internet infrastructure development.
The government is also set to propose regulatory easing on a number of key issues relating to the virtual world such as cross-border transactions taxation, digital assets, online petitions and voting and virtual currency. In addition, efforts will be made to foster innovative startups, promote e-commerce and spur Internet finance when it comes to expanding cyber economy.
Concerning intelligent homeland planning and smart living, a premium is to be placed on harnessing public information to create more opportunities in digital learning, disaster management and mitigation, health care services, integrated transportation and personal safety.
On the transparent governance front, no stone will be left unturned in working to digitalize government services, encourage public involvement in policymaking and provide access to government data. (SFC-JSM)
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