After hearing a report on the progress of public works at today's Cabinet meeting, Premier Jiang Yi-huah reiterated the government's dedication to accelerating public construction to enliven the economy.
One of the recently unveiled economic stimulus package's 13 measures is to spur domestic investment by expediting the implementation of government procurement plans, which are related to public construction projects. Jiang directed ministries and government agencies to draft measures in order to enhance and monitor progress of public works and accelerate tender procedures, work resumption and payment processes. "This will help inject construction funding promptly to the market and stimulate economic growth," he said.
According to the Public Construction Commission, as of the end of April, NT$86.92 billion (US$2.9 billion), or 23.8 percent of this year's public works budget, has been expended, an improvement over the implementation figures of NT$84.86 billion (US$2.8 billion) and 21.62 percent over the same period of the previous year. The premier touted the public sector's efforts while encouraging ministries and agencies to continue their efforts.
Jiang noted most ministers or deputy ministers held supervisory meetings in May to monitor the progress of public works for which they are responsible and directed the few that have not held such meetings to promptly do so and ensure their own public works can be completed as scheduled.
The premier also said that despite a scheduled eight-percent cut to the 2014 ROC budget by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, the Executive Yuan will make strategic plans to ensure sufficient funding for public works and major government policies in the hope of spurring more private investment and consumption over the long run. Hence, he asked ministries and agencies to carefully assess the importance and urgency of their works being implemented or planned and submit their priorities to the Executive Yuan for review by the Council of Economic Planning and Development and relevant government agencies.
Today, June 6, is the nation's Engineer's Day, a holiday established in commemoration of the legendary engineer Yu the Great. Hence, during the Cabinet meeting, the premier expressed thanks to the nation's engineers for being cautious and conscientious, holding fast to their posts, and tirelessly working to improve the public's welfare and develop the nation's economy.
Several members of the Cabinet have engineering backgrounds, Jiang pointed out. "Whenever I visit a construction site, I see engineers' silhouettes. They are an important team that is quietly engaged in infrastructure."
The premier also mentioned that when he toured nuclear power plants together with President Ma Ying-jeou recently, he saw engineers working morning and night to provide citizens with stable electricity. "They bear many expectations from society as well as a great deal of pressure," Jiang said.
"On behalf of the Executive Yuan, I thank all engineers for their important contribution to our nation's economic development," he stated. "I hope their effort and expertise will help every sector of society appreciate the importance of our country's infrastructure and its role in the path to sustainable development, innovation and glory."