Premier Lai Ching-te today said that a public outreach and tourism initiative at the National Palace Museum (NPM) is expected to create new value for the museum, connect with the needs of local communities, and inject momentum into the tourism industry, all of which will bring prosperity to the institution's two branches and their surrounding communities in northern and southern Taiwan.
Set to run from 2018 to 2023, the project is designed to enhance the security of Taiwan's national treasures and artifacts, raise the quality of museum tours, and engage the public in art education, the premier said.
During his visit to the southern branch in Chiayi County on Saturday, Premier Lai asked NPM Director Lin Jeng-yi to ensure that the national treasures restoration and exhibit hall is completed on time and on spec for opening in four years, and to resolve the suspension of the build-operate-transfer construction contract for additional development at the branch. The southern branch should also make full use of its facilities and promote industrial development by enhancing art restoration techniques, training personnel for the industry, and exhibiting national treasures from the Taipei branch.
According to the NPM, the initiative was submitted as a national public infrastructure development project with a total budget of NT$10.1 billion (US$341.2 million), of which NT$463 million in early-stage funding has been approved and activated in 2018. After the project's completion in 2023, the number of visitors to the two branches is expected to increase to 8 million, adding NT$380 million and NT$560 million respectively to ticket sales and art revenues. Consumer spending by domestic and international museumgoers is also expected to reach NT$134.7 billion.