The free economic pilot zones (FEPZs) are an important effort by the government to boost the nation's agriculture industry, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said at today's Cabinet meeting.
The FEPZs, launched August 2013, aim to foster good operations environments through adjustment of policies, laws and regulations, create platforms to provide ample raw materials and implement swift and convenient administrative procedures, he noted.
Coupled with outstanding technologies possessed by domestic operators, the FEPZs not only will help raise products' added value but could also create a new operation model to develop the global market.
"Designed with new thinking and new measures, the FEPZs are expected to help expedite the agriculture industry's structural transformation and adjustment," Jiang affirmed.
The premier made these remarks after being briefed by the Council of Agriculture (COA) at today's Cabinet meeting on its promotion of value-added agriculture in the FEPZs.
The nation's agricultural policies are being implemented via various means, such as the adoption of modern technology and entrepreneurial management as well as regulatory easing in the sector. The FEPZ program is just one link in this process, the premier stated.
Jiang pointed out that the value-added agriculture policy is conducive to ushering in the nation's agricultural transformation and upgrade. However, more detailed and refined measures should be carried out, such as encouraging manufacturers to use local produce and raw materials, to mitigate the impacts on the rights and interests of farmers and on future agricultural development, he advised.
As for safeguarding the welfare of grassroots farmers, which has always been a major public concern, the premier asked the COA to listen to different voices with an open mind and to employ simple, clear and persuasive means to communicate and elaborate the issue in order to dispel public doubts and gain the support of various sectors and the consensus of citizens. He also directed the COA to take into consideration the affected farmers, their feelings and their practical interests.
The administration's value-added agriculture policy has been implemented since last year, with the Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park (PABP) as the focus, and so far it has been quite successful, said the premier. He noted that approval and expectations of the program are high among local governments and acknowledged the hard work of COA Minister Chen Bao-ji and his colleagues.
From July 2013 through June 30, 2014, a total of 21 companies had received permission to invest in and move into the PABP; their total investment there is projected to be about NT$2.8 billion (US$93.5 million). Moreover, the Asia-Pacific Operation Center for Aquaculture established by the PABP is the only large-scale aquacultural production and marketing base in the world to gather research and development, quarantine inspection, import and export logistics, and marketing in the same place. This center covers 5.5 hectares of land area and has capacity for 18 aquarium firms; 11 are already stationed there.
Value-added agriculture is just one of the items in the special act for the FEPZs, which also covers smart logistics, international health care services, education innovation and improvement of financial services, the premier further pointed out. It is hoped that through system innovation and law and regulation amendments, the FEPZs will facilitate the transformation of Taiwan's economy.
The FEPZs are different from the export processing zones and science-based industrial parks developed by the nation in the past, the premier emphasized: the FEPZ system is an experiment in confined areas over a 10-year period; if the model succeeds, there will be a stronger basis and confidence for promoting it nationwide.
Jiang also stressed that the special bill for the FEPZs requires rational and comprehensive discussion. He thus enjoined relevant ministries to proactively communicate with the Legislature's ruling and opposition party caucuses and to explain the program to groups that might harbor different opinions or have doubts about it. Agencies must work to turn opposition into support and strive to facilitate the bill's passage in the Legislature soon in order to benefit the nation's future development and the public welfare, he affirmed.