The second meeting of consultants for the national conference on economic and trade affairs (NCETA) was convened this afternoon at the Executive Yuan. It was jointly presided by Premier Jiang Yi-huah and former Vice Premier Lin Hsin-i, the convener of the group's private sector representatives.
Fourteen consultants attended the conference, including Board Chairman Chiang Pin-kung of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, Professor Chen Wei-jao of National Taiwan University, Chairman Hsu Sheng-hsiung of the Chinese National Federation of Industries, Chairman Lai Cheng-i of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China, President Chuang Chueh-an of the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions and President Tung Wen-ya of the Taiwan Federation of Labor.
National Development Council (NDC) Minister Kuan Chung-ming first briefed the participants on the agency's revised plan for the NCETA while Minister without Portfolio Tsai Yu-ling further explained the plan for online participation. The consultants then engaged in an intense discussion and reached consensuses on agendas for the conferences, online participation, and increasing the representation of various sectors. The consultants expect the NCETA to convene successfully and consolidate the strengths of the whole citizenry so they will jointly strive for Taiwan's economic development.
With regards to the conference procedure and schedule, the consultants agreed to the NCETA being held in two phases—first regionally and then nationwide—with online participation open to the public prior to the convening of the formal conferences. The regional conferences are scheduled to be held in northern Taiwan June 21-22, southern Taiwan June 28-29, central Taiwan July 5-6 and eastern Taiwan July 12-13. The national conference will then take place July 26-28. In view of time constraints, representatives at the conferences may also present written statements in addition to registering to voice their views.
The consultants also agreed to the administration's innovative online participation measure—which will adopt the world café model to form consensus—and suggested the administration post full information and explanations on the NCETA's website for public review.
On participants' representation, the consultants engaged in an animated discussion regarding political parties; administrative departments; academic, industrial and cultural sectors; disadvantaged groups; civic groups; online participation; and recommendations by various sectors. In order to hear diverse views and have all voices heard, the panel suggested the administrative branch realign the size and number of representatives of regional conferences based on each region's population structure and increase the proportions of youths, students, civic groups and online representatives.
In addition, as the economy and trade are the chief focus of the NCETA, the proportion of participants from industry has been raised to strike a more appropriate balance among attendees. The consultants will also be asked to confirm the name lists of the national and regional representatives after they are generated.
As for the issues on the agenda, the consultants agreed to focus on two topic outlines:
1. Taiwan's strategies for economic development in the era of globalization, including anchoring cross-strait economic and trade relations, increasing the competitiveness of Taiwan's industries, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises and younger generations, and supporting affected industries and disadvantaged groups.
2. Taiwan's cross-strait economic and trade strategies as well as exploration of concrete strategies for Taiwan's participation in regional economic and trade integration.
The NDC has been asked to confirm the sub-topics of the two outlines with the consultants.
In order to more effectively implement NCETA conclusions, the consultants have decided that the staff units of the national and regional conferences would categorize participants' opinions into "consensus," "majority" or "other" prior to confirmation by the overall discussion session on the last day. The conclusions will then be implemented by the government.
Premier Jiang thanked the consultants again for their time and valuable suggestions in the two meetings and expects to see their active participation in the online, regional and national conferences. He also encouraged the consultants to continue to provide guidance to the administration and work together with the government for Taiwan's overall economic and trade development.