The 20-member panel of consultants for the forthcoming national conference on economic and trade affairs will meet for the second time at the Executive Yuan on Sunday, May 25 to discuss the National Development Council's (NDC) proposals for the event, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun said today.
At their first meeting on May 18, the consultants fully discussed the topics and format of the conference as well as the principles and methods for selecting representatives to the event, Sun said. Premier Jiang Yi-huah, who co-chaired the meeting, then directed the NDC to make plans for the conference according to consultants' suggestions.
Among issues deliberated, consultants suggested facilitating participation through the Internet and recommended that the government provide sufficient information and discourse for the public prior to the conference. The NDC therefore has adjusted the way for the public to participate through the Internet and will upload information and data related to regional economic integration, cross-strait trade and Taiwan's economic development to a publicly accessible website dedicated to the event, Sun said.
As for representatives for the conference, consultants suggested the selection should be based on the principle of a more balanced representation of the public, with more delegates from civic groups and the socially disadvantaged in particular, Sun said. The NDC therefore has realigned the size and number of representatives of regional conferences and increased the ratio of youths, students, industry representatives and civic groups.
With respect to the topics for discussion, some of the advisors stated at the first meeting that cross-strait trade and Taiwan's development orientation are unavoidable subjects and recommended the Executive Yuan pay closer attention to young people and students, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and disadvantaged groups. The NDC took these suggestions into consideration and created new discussion topics, including the following:
- The cross-strait economic and trade strategies and tactics Taiwan should adopt as it joins regional economic and trade integration.
- Taiwan's economic development tactics, particularly with respect to enhancing the competitiveness of the nation's industries as well as aiding the development of SMEs and youths, during the era of globalization.
- Providing aid to struggling industries and disadvantaged groups.
The NDC's adjustment plans will be presented for discussion at the consultants' meeting on Sunday. The times the regional and national conferences will convene will also be confirmed then.