Top business leaders yesterday urged Premier Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺) to strengthen the Cabinet’s communication, coordination and command skills so their industries can better follow its policy directions.
More than 100 top executives gave their suggestions after a keynote speech by Jiang on the nation’s economic challenges and the Cabinet’s measures.
Jiang said there is no quick fix to the nation’s export-focused economy as China’s recovery weakens, the EU remains in recession and the US deals with sequestration.
Far Eastern Group (遠東集團) chairman Douglas Hsu (徐旭東) said the Cabinet should demonstrate better communication and coordination skills as government agencies oftentimes appear at odds on major policy issues.
“If the government aims to end the anemic economy, all of its agencies must be in unison to avoid confusion and a lack of efficiency,” Hsu said.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, the European Chamber of Commerce Taipei and Chinese National Federation of Industries (全國工總) have raised similar concerns over the government’s efficiency and consistency in recent position papers.
All the trade groups pressed for bold and fast reforms as President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) may increasingly feel the “lame-duck effect” as he is half-way through his second four-year term.
Prince Motors Group (太子汽車) chairman Hsu Sheng-fa (許勝發) said the Cabinet should create a one-stop window for its free economic pilot zones and set a timetable for their implementation.
“Who should companies contact if they are interested in joining the program?” the 87-year-old asked.
The government has yet to provide details about the zones, saying only that they are a medium-term stimulus measure, which could help resolve the nation’s lackluster GDP and wage growth — if extended nationwide — in the long run.
Lin Po-shih (林伯實), president and chief executive officer of Taiwan Glass Industry Corp (台玻), also urged the establishment of a one-stop window, saying such a policy is common practice in China.
Jiang said he was aware of the criticism of the government’s communication problems and inefficiency. Theoretically, the Council for Economic Planning and Development is responsible for policy coordination, while the Ministry of Economic Affairs should provide one-stop services, he said.
The premier also promised to do away with outdated regulations that slow business activity.
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