In this digital era, opening government data to generate added value will help boost the quality of administration and overall economic development, Premier Mao Chi-kuo stated at the Cabinet meeting today after he was briefed by the National Development Council (NDC) on an advanced action program to open government data.
The NDC program calls for three advanced concrete measures: establishing a consultation mechanism for open government data, engendering a trustworthy open data environment, and collaborating with the private sector on promoting applications of open data. The premier enjoined various ministries and agencies to thoroughly implement the NDC program and to formulate strategies for data release so as to meet the private sector's demand for open data as well as to generate business opportunities for relevant industries.
This program is part of the ide@2020 policy white paper, the premier pointed out. Under the supervision of Vice Premier Chang San-cheng, the various ministries and agencies have proactively opened up government data. Through the first eight months of this year, the government has released more than 10,000 data files, including many with high application value. These efforts are worthy of commendation, the premier stated.
Government open data must be better linked with private sector applications to develop multiplier effects, Mao said. He thus directed various ministries to cooperate with the private sector's data centers and establish coordination mechanisms so as to effectively help the private sector make good use of government open data, develop the private sector's innovation dynamism and galvanize the nation to become a benchmark of government open data in the international community.
The NDC stated that over the first eight months of 2015 the number of open government data files released grew by about 250 percent, from 3,377 at the end of December 2014 to more than 10,000 at the end of August 2015. The NDC expects that 30,000 data files will have been released by 2020. The agency hopes to drive and revitalize the government's administration through the program's implementation and public-private collaboration.