At a meeting with the nation's industry leaders today, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said he was pleased that the government's work over the past two years to meet industries' needs has paid off. However, there is always room for improvement, and as long as businesses offer constructive feedback, the government will continue to work harder to bring in a better future for the economy and domestic industries.
During the meeting, Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI) Chairman Hsu Sheng-hsiung pointed out that the number of recommendations made in the CNFI's white paper dropped to 223 this year from 262 in 2013. In addition, 72.5 percent of those contributing to last year's white paper suggestions were satisfied with the government's responses.
Taiwan's economic growth depends on industrial competitiveness as well as the vitality and diligence of its society, Premier Jiang said. He thanked domestic industries for their decades-long contribution and said that this brand of success requires hard work and perseverance from every generation.
"We are in a rapidly changing world, and countries around the globe are moving forward with great speed. If Taiwan does not adapt to such changes just as swiftly and flexibly, it may very well be left behind soon."
Also commenting on the recent gas explosions in Kaohsiung City, Premier Jiang said the government mobilized emergency relief operations immediately after the blasts, and he has since repeatedly directed central agencies to extend every assistance to the local authority. The premier has also paid two visits to the explosion sites.
Looking ahead, the central and local governments must work together to rebuild residents' lives and provide timely help to those in need. This includes reorganization of underground pipelines, road reconstruction, employment assistance for affected workers, and financial aid for businesses.
"In times like these, the central and local governments should work together and make no distinction between one another," Jiang said. If people follow that principle, there will be no bickering among political parties nor finger pointing between the central and local authorities. He has also cleared the air with Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chu and hopes the city and the nation can soon be healed of their wounds and grief.
Regarding management of the petrochemical industry, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has given all responsible agencies a deadline of three months to finish inspecting petrochemical pipelines. Any pipelines found hanging in culverts must be redirected or removed immediately. The Executive Yuan is also very concerned with how securing the pipelines will affect Kaohsiung's petrochemical industry. Premier Jiang has asked the MOEA to work out the issues while maintaining a balance among industrial development, public safety and local jobs.
"The government values the development of all industries, because behind every industry are a host of hard-working people and their families."
The premier went on to say that he was extremely saddened by the resignation of former Economics Minister Chang Chia-juch in the aftermath of the Kaohsiung blasts. Chang was very practical, sensible, and maintained his integrity through all of his work. The premier called on the business community to extend to the new Economics Minister Woody Duh the same enthusiastic support it gave to Chang.
"Ministers may come and go, but Taiwan's economic focus remains constant. The nation must continue to liberalize, globalize, get rid of outdated laws, release creative abilities, and allow each sector to reach its full potential because this is the sure path to sustainable economic prosperity and social harmony," Jiang said.