Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday announced several initiatives to boost the economy that would give the private sector a greater role in publicly funded projects.
In a press conference marking the end of his first year as premier, Yu said private companies would be allowed to invest in at least NT$100 billion worth of public construction projects.
"We also plan to let the private sector manufacture and provide NT$34 billion worth of regular military supplies, and the private sector will be eligible for developing and maintaining military equipment worth NT$120 billion," he said.
To boost the economy, Yu said the government would press ahead with its goal of lowering the unemployment rate from the current 5.2 percent to 4.5 percent and raising the economic growth rate to 3.52 percent by the end of the year.
The government has come up with two job-creation plans, under which 115,000 one-year jobs would be created.
The legislature has already passed a NT$20 billion project to provide jobs in the public service sector but is still reviewing a NT$50 billion project for public construction jobs.
To boost economic growth, Yu said the government is seeking local and international investors to participate in public construction projects and for private companies to manufacture military supplies.
The government hopes to see the number of companies with regional operations centers in Taiwan increase from 104 to 250, and the number of research and development centers from 42 to 68, Yu said.
The government also plans to establish free-trade harbor zones within two months after lawmakers approve the legislation to create them.
Despite the economic downturn over the past few months, Yu said the economy is gradually recovering and the government is ready to welcome a new period of economic prosperity.
"We've been getting ready for the right moment over the past year. As soon as the east wind blows, we're ready to set sail," Yu said.
Despite Yu's optimism, the results of an opinion poll published yesterday showed that the public was unimpressed with the government's efforts to revive the economy.
The poll, conducted by the Cabinet's Research, Development and Evaluation Commission on Jan. 20, showed that more than 67 percent of the people questioned said that they were unimpressed with the government's efforts to improve the economy, while about 21 percent of them said they were impressed.
Yu's popularity rating, however, rose to 55.6 percent, or 4.1 percentage points higher than in a similar poll conducted in November last year.
Only 17.6 percent of the people questioned said that they were disappointed with Yu's performance over the past year, 3.9 percentage points down from November.
Yu dismissed speculation that he might team up with President Chen Shui-bian (
"I've never had such a plan nor have I ever given it any thought," he said. "The only thing that concerns me is the health of the economy and the safety of society."
Yu said the relations between him and Chen remained sound and smooth.
"We've gotten to know each other well over the past 22 years since we entered the political arena in 1981," Yu said. "The relationship between us has been great."
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