The Executive Yuan approved the 2015 national development plan today, charting a course for social justice, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity in Taiwan in the coming year.
The plan, drafted by the National Development Council (NDC), incorporates projections from Taiwanese and international institutions and accounts for global economic uncertainties as well as different development scenarios in Taiwan. With an annual economic growth target of between 3.1 and 3.7 percent, the plan aims to keep the unemployment rate at 3.8 to 3.9 percent and the inflation rate to no more than 2.0 percent.
Premier Mao Chi-kuo said the plan will devote resources to boosting the economy, strengthening social welfare and citizens' health, and protecting the environment and ecology. Its objectives are to create jobs for young people, provide security for senior citizens, find opportunities for local businesses, and build a dignified environment for disadvantaged groups.
The global economy looks to be rosy in 2015, which bodes well for Taiwan's recovery, but many uncertainties still linger worldwide, Mao said. He asked government agencies to keep a keen eye on developments and to stand ready with response measures.
To promote economic and employment growth in 2015, the NDC will combine the government's physical and virtual resources to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Specifically, the council will promote the HeadStart Taiwan program, harmonize laws on the virtual world, and connect with venture capital funds in Silicon Valley. The NDC will also amend the Statute for industrial Innovation to encourage investment in research and innovation, while also implementing an industrial upgrading and transformation action plan.
Further, the NDC aims to stimulate investment and services exports by accelerating regional economic integration, implementing a product exports transformation action plan, easing business regulations, and creating local jobs by investing in human resources.