The trade and industry community is deeply concerned about the cost of water and electricity as well as a proposed energy tax, and the government must make a full assessment before making any moves, Taipei-based Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI, 全國工業總會) chairman Chen Wu-hsiung (陳武雄) said yesterday.
Chen, who was leading a group of CNFI board members, issued the call during a meeting at the Presidential Office with President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
“What has to be done to prop up Taiwan’s economy must be done, and the government must cut tax rates to benefit both the general public and the industry,” Chen said.
If the government could lower the existing gift and inheritance tax rates, it would encourage wealthy people to bring money that is currently overseas back to Taiwan and increase their investment at home, he said.
“Doing so would benefit both rich people and the country as a whole,” he said.
Commenting on the recent increases in fuel and electricity prices by state-run utility companies, Chen said the situation was global and not limited to Taiwan.
Chen said that international oil prices would drop slightly from the current high levels, but predicted that the days of cheap oil may be behind us. He urged the government to face up to the challenge and devise a long-term strategy to address it.
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