Young people engaging in social enterprises and putting innovative ideas into action are making Taiwan a better place, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today at an international symposium for social enterprises held in Taipei.
The premier reiterated that the government will always stand behind social enterprises and he hopes consumers and citizens will learn more about such business organizations.
Taiwan's fast-growing social enterprises have impressed the international community, even propelling Taiwan into the limelight at the 2014 Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), the premier noted. Today's event—part of a series of social enterprise symposiums sponsored by the government—featured David LePage of the SEWF steering committee as keynote speaker. LePage's sharing on the promotion of social enterprises was warmly received by the audience.
The past two years have marked a turning point for the development of a supportive environment in Taiwan, Premier Mao said. In 2014, the government launched the Project for Social Enterprises Action Plan and earlier this year converted the premier's unused official residence into a social enterprise hub where people can share their experiences and stimulate one another's imaginations.
Meanwhile, the responsibilities for promoting social enterprises have been pooled across the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Education and Council of Agriculture. In contrast to some nations where only one ministry is responsible for the task, Taiwan's inter-ministerial effort ensures that all aspects of development are covered.
The administration has helped many social enterprises to raise capital in the past year, including via Taiwan's over-the-counter market, the premier stated. A registration system has also been instituted so that registered social enterprises can receive priority consideration in government procurement cases.
These organizations serve a broad range of interests including agriculture, community, indigenous peoples, disabled people or disadvantaged groups.
Many are structured as cooperative entities that engage in production or create social benefits, bringing together living, production and ecological considerations into one operation.
The government has designated November as social enterprise month. Premier Mao invited the general public to participate in promotional events in northern, central and southern Taiwan during that period.