TT: What do you think about the criticism that the proposed project is just a larger-scale version of the NT$810 billion public construction project introduced by former premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄)?
Ho: I find it quite funny, because whoever said that seems to know little about the NT$810 billion public construction project.
The NT$810 billion project, which is a short-term public construction program, is totally different in nature from the six-year project, which is a long-term national development plan.
The NT$810 billion project was designed to expand domestic demand as a solution to stimulating Taiwan's sluggish economy. The result is short-term.
The real problem of Taiwan's economy is not the boom-and-bust economic cycle but the nature of the industrial sector, which desperately needs restructuring.
So you'll find plans such as cultivating creativity and cultural talent, creating a better living environment and restoring Taiwan's ecosystems included in the six-year project, because they help boost local industries such as tourism and other related businesses.
TT: But critics say such plans won't swiftly and directly boost the local economy and call for a vast amount of money.
Ho: That's why we have introduced 10 different tasks instead of one.
Our thinking is quite simple. To strengthen the manufacturing industry, we have introduced plans such as developing Taiwan into the world's production and supply center for high value-added products, building Taiwan into Asia's leading research and development center, and developing Taiwan into an operation center in Asia.
To invigorate the service industry, we plan to focus on the telecommunications and transportation sectors. That's why such plans as making Taiwan Asia's most digitized country and building a convenient, islandwide mass transportation network are included in the project.
The tourism industry then will grow on the foundation of a sound service industry. I believe that a booming tourism industry will help boost the economy because it provides many job opportunities.
TT: Although the premier has emphasized that the project is not about building more facilities and infrastructure, it seems necessary to improve some of the infrastructure in certain tourism areas.
Ho: Yes, the transportation system is very important. We plan to build a convenient, islandwide mass transportation network, including the completion of the north-south high-speed rail -- which provide long-distance service.
We also want to upgrade the nation's railways -- which offer short to mid-distance shuttle services between cities -- and extend mass transit in major cities.
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