Over NT$200 billion (US$6.5 billion) worth of business opportunities in 48 public works projects were announced at a recent investment recruitment convention held by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Premier Jiang Yi-huah stated after the ministry's briefing on the event during today's Cabinet meeting.
The cases made available to private financing include build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects, urban renewal on public land, and creation of superficies for national land. Prospective investors had opportunities to speak face-to-face with government officials about the cases at the convention.
The premier thanked the MOF, other relevant agencies and local governments for their efforts, reserving special approval and gratitude for the MOF's National Property Administration as well as the governments of New Taipei City, Tainan City, Changhua County and Yilan County.
Encouraging private funding in public works projects is a major administrative objective for the Executive Yuan, Jiang emphasized. He asked the competent agencies for each of the 48 cases to actively implement their project plans and to seek help from the MOF and other competent ministries for resolving any obstacles that may arise in the process. Additionally, he requested the MOF to track each case's progress to insure that it is finished on schedule and up to standard.
Because Taiwan has abundant private capital, there is interest in investing in public infrastructure projects released by the government, Jiang said. He asked agencies and local governments to take the initiative and develop new cases while urging private sector participation in order to provide more quality public services.
According to the MOF, this year's first investment convention took place on March 30 at the Taipei International Convention Center. It was organized in line with the Executive Yuan's Economic Power-Up Plan, one objective of which is to involve the private sector in the development of public infrastructure. Drawing interest from domestic and foreign developers, the convention highlighted several flagship projects including a BOT case for a municipal hospital in New Taipei City's Tucheng District (NT$6.4 billion), another BOT project for a yacht tourism area and marine industrial zone at Kaohsiung's Shinda Harbor (NT$10 billion), and plans for an international trade park at Shueitou Harbor in Kinmen County (NT$13 billion). Cooperative efforts to expand private involvement will create a win-win-win situation for the central government, local governments and the private sector, the MOF said.
The premier said that another investment convention has been scheduled for September. He instructed the MOF to compile information on national land in advance and to coordinate other agencies in removing investment obstacles. Government leaders at central and local levels should also encourage their staff to be more proactive in proposing and promoting projects, Jiang said. He hopes the leaders will assign higher priority to this effort and foster an atmosphere conducive to private participation in public infrastructure.