The Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) Central Standing Committee urged the Cabinet yesterday to strengthen public promotion of government policies and benefits and relax investment regulations to build up public confidence in the government.
While the nation’s sluggish economy and poor stock market performance were partly a reflection of the global economy, the government was to blame for growing public complaints about the administration’s performance as it had overlooked public suffering amid economic hardship, the committee said.
Members of the party’s highest decision-making body made the remarks after Vice Premier Paul Chiu (邱正雄) presented a report on recent economic developments and the Cabinet’s proposed solutions at party headquarters.
In an effort to stabilize the economy, Chiu said the Cabinet would continue to focus on stabilizing commodity prices, encouraging domestic and international investments and easing the 40 percent investment cap on China-bound investment.
“The problem is the public just doesn’t have confidence in the government. The Cabinet should speak louder to promote its policies,” KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) said.
KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤), who is also chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation, said the economic problems were a product of the former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government’s poor performance and suggested that the Cabinet relax investment regulations and simplify the administrative process to create a friendly investment environment.
Chiang also called on the government to map out long-term policies to improve the economy.
“The government should not be shortsighted and only care about short-term performance,” he said.
“We should think about how to lay down solid foundations for the country’s economic strength,” he said.
KMT Legislator John Chiang (蔣孝嚴) urged the government to push direct cross-strait flights next year.
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