Revitalizing the economy is currently the Cabinet's top priority, Premier Jiang Yi-huah told information and communications technology (ICT) industry leaders from Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli at the Linkou Industrial Park Service Center today.
"Over the past one to two years, the global economy has not been ideal, and our industries have faced harsh challenges from competitors. Therefore, we must find ways for our industries to make breakthroughs," he said.
Jiang has enjoined relevant ministries to frequently visit businesses and find out whether the government's financial, economic and industrial policies have been in keeping with industries' needs. "The government has the power and determination to resolve businesses' difficulties with speed and practicality," he emphasized.
Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli make up the hub of Taiwan's electronics and ICT industries, the premier pointed out. Over one-third of Taiwan's 500 biggest manufacturers have their factories located in Taoyuan, and the county's industrial production value has ranked first in the nation for nine consecutive years, exemplifying the crucial role the county plays. The Taoyuan Aerotropolis project is the largest flagship program—whether in terms of scale, job creation or expected results—since the nation's Ten Major Construction Projects in the 1970s.
The premier also reiterated the importance of Free Economic Pilot Zones (FEPZs), about which he was briefed by the Council for Economic Planning and Development this morning. "The FEPZ program is a necessary step for Taiwan to integrate with regional economies," he said.
"The government must make Taiwan more open and globalized while fostering more forward-looking industries. We are not just a member of the Four Asian Tigers; we must maintain our lead and help our future generations develop their full potential and expertise. This is our aim in promoting the FEPZs."
"Legal deregulation and industrial liberalization cannot be achieved overnight. This is why we must first have systemic liberalization and innovation as well as investment and other tax incentives in the FEPZs. It is not just for short-term economic revitalization but to lay the foundation for 20 to 30 years of future development," he said.
Before meeting the industry leaders, the premier visited Qisda Corp. This company has been ceaselessly expanding and transforming for years, he said, first focusing on ICT and then branching into high-end medical equipment, which he called an extremely successful example of cross-field integration.
"The competitive environment for traditional ICT businesses is now very harsh, and Taiwan cannot maintain the same industrial style indefinitely," Jiamg emphasized. "The transformation and upgrading of industries is the road Taiwan must take."
To achieve this objective, during Sean Chen's premiership the Executive Yuan formulated the Three Industries, Four Reforms plan, which encompasses making the manufacturing industry service-oriented, making the services industry high-tech, globalizing the services and making traditional industries specialty-oriented.
To help make manufacturing firms service-oriented, leaders of the Executive Yuan and economic and financial ministries traveled around Taiwan to observe the conditions of the nation's enterprises and exchange opinions on related issues.
"Taiwanese enterprises have a good foundation, which has enabled them to sustain their businesses until today; but if manufacturers do not incorporate the spirit of service, they could be quickly replaced by firms in other nations with lower production costs," he warned.
"I hope all Taiwanese industries can quickly take the path of transforming and upgrading their businesses because only in this way can they create job opportunities and, by increasing the added value of their products, raise their employees' salaries," said the premier.