Premier Sean Chen met with local business leaders on July 10 to discuss the economy, noting that Taiwan's outstanding economic environment has been built on its wealth of talented human resources. Rather than digging for natural resources, Taiwan has mined its people, their talent, energy and intelligence, said the premier, citing a recent column by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times.
Responding to Tuesday's media reports that Taiwan's exports are on the decline, the premier pointed out that the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on May 20 unveiled a comprehensive, six-part plan to market Taiwan's specialty products and assist domestic exporters. Other programs at the MOEA and the Council for Economic Planning and Development are aimed at turning the "Made in Taiwan" brand into a global model by promoting industrial transformation and increasing the value added to products and services.
The premier also mentioned the development of "exportable services"— branching out businesses such as food and beverage, real estate and finance to other countries—as another means to spur economic growth. Tourism to Taiwan, which jumped more than 20 percent in the first five months of 2012, can also create business and job opportunities.
In his concluding remarks, Premier Chen said there are always many different interests involved in the operation of a business or the formation of government policies, and good decisions can only be made when the interests of all parties are considered.
Borrowing a quote from former U.S. President James Madison, the premier said, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary." As for external controls, the premier believes the government must listen to voices of all people in order to govern successfully. He thanked the business sector for their input and instructed the MOEA's Department of Commerce to compile and forward all suggestions to the appropriate agencies for response.
The July 10 meeting was co-hosted by the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China and the Taiwan Coalition of Service Industries. Topics of discussion included a cross-strait currency clearing system, taxes on specific goods and services, urban renewal, as well as mainland investment in and immigration to Taiwan.