The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA,
The move comes at a time when Taiwan has been increasingly concerned about its image as it prepares to enjoy a higher profile in the international business community.
"The government has been preparing for Taiwan's entry into the World Trade Organization," said Economic Minister Wang Chi-kang (?y揮??. "Taiwan's overall economic image and ability has received praise internationally."
"However," Wang said, "we can always improve."
For example, Wang said, Singapore has a special agency responsible for stall management and policy making, and it has the power to punish illegal stalls.
Wang made the comments at a meeting of ministry officials and traditional market representatives, who were there to discuss their experiences since the implementation of the "Five-year Plan for Traditional Market Upgrading and Resolution of the Problem of Illegal Stalls (傳2峊?鶚騝s與改進攤3c訑棺D?-|~-p畫)" which was implemented last year.
Between 40 and 50 traditional market representatives attended the meeting.
The economics ministry also said 29 additional markets would participate in the five-year plan, bringing the total to 45 markets.
While the ministry has been attempting to spruce up the image of traditional markets, a bill that would give it more power to regulate vendors and stalls has been languishing in the Legislative Yuan since 1993.
The ministry has been pushing for the adoption of the "Statute for Stalls Management (
"There is no law which punishes illegal stalls directly," said ministry official Huang Bin-fa (
But while the five-year plan hasn't been able to tackle the problem of illegal stalls, it has helped to improve the environment of some traditional markets.
"Wet floors are a general scene in traditional markets," said Serene Dai (
"But if you visit the Shi Dung traditional market (
Chao Chi-yiau (
Liu Kuan-tun (
Currently, 60 percent of the public still go to traditional markets for daily shopping.
There are also some other opportunities for traditional markets to develop, such as on-line commerce.
"Thirty to 40 [participants in the five-year plan] wanted to make their goods available on the Internet," Dai said. "We are helping them with the hardware program design."
Dai said Cychen was helping traditional markets to obtain computers, set up Web pages and develop strategies for attracting on-line customers.
Products will be available for delivery beginning in February or March.
Market stalls may also begin to consolidate, bringing management under one roof, Dai said. "Three stalls are being encouraged to become one, and to run the stall like a company," she said.
However, "Some of the markets have no incentives to upgrade," Dai said. "The stall owners say that they have made enough money."
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