The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has elaborated a project to promote the hotel and catering service industry, hoping to generate investment of NT$1.5 billion (US$31.74 million) and create 2,000 jobs, a ministry official said yesterday.
Starting a catering business requires a small amount of capital investment and the industry is also a major source of employment as it offers a number of jobs to middle-aged and older people. The ministry is therefore making further development of the sector a high priority, an official said.
Last year, the number of hotel and catering facilities totaled 98,932, generating turnover of NT$321.8 billion and providing 693,000 jobs, MOEA statistics showed.
Despite a drop in domestic demand amid the global financial crisis, which began in the fourth quarter of 2008, the sector still posted 2.4 percent growth between 2007 and last year, the official said.
In view of the importance of the sector’s contribution to employment in Taiwan’s services industry, the ministry has devised a 2010-2013 investment project.
The government’s goal is to bring gourmet foods from around the world to Taiwan and to introduce Taiwanese delicacies abroad, the official said.
Taiwan’s cafe chain 85°C has 422 outlets worldwide, while Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐), a restaurant famous for its steamed pork dumplings, also has numerous overseas branches, he said.
The ministry plans to hold 50 business matching meetings for Taiwanese and foreign enterprises this year with the aim of helping them open 400 stores in Taiwan.
The ministry will also help catering operators organize friendship associations, assist in training for hospitality and catering professionals and set up a gourmet foods “special zone” to promote delicacies from around the world.
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