Premier Jiang Yi-huah spoke about the nation's exports after being briefed at today's Cabinet meeting by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on its strategies and methods to expand this sector of the economy.
The premier acknowledged that export volume has been below expectations of late, falling 2.3 percent last year and posting a mere 1.3 percent growth rate for the first four months of 2013, with contraction being seen from February to April.
"Although this performance is more stable than neighboring countries', our citizens have high expectations for our economic growth, and we are especially mindful of that," Jiang said. "Weak demand in major international markets has impacted Taiwanese exports considerably, and businesses especially need the government's guidance and assistance at this time."
The premier stated that the MOEA has crafted diverse and timely strategies for export expansion directed at businesses' needs, unique market characteristics and industries with great potential, and it has also deepened the density and breadth of its activities. "Its plans are specific and feasible," he said.
"The MOEA must make a total effort to implement each measure and better publicize the program, and other agencies will need to fully cooperate with the ministry," the premier added.
The MOEA's export expansion plan is a short-term measure, the premier said. To increase export competitiveness and economic strength in the long term, agencies will have to manage and implement policies on major issues such as accelerating negotiations with trade partners on signing economic cooperation agreements, adjusting the domestic industrial structure, attracting more domestic and foreign investment and resolving labor supply and demand imbalances, he concluded.