Sat, May 31, 2008 page3

• Government to boost middle class: Liu

  LEGISLATIVE REPORT The premier briefed lawmakers on his agenda, but not until apologizing for the surprise fuel price hike announcement

  • By Flora Wang / STAFF REPORTER
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  Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) yesterday promised to recreate a solid middle class by boosting the econo

  “Taiwan was renowned for its ‘economic miracle’ in the past. Back then, the economy was vibrant. Taiwan’s wealth was said to be ankle deep, while people had numerous opportunities to become rich,” Liu said in his first administrative report to the legislature.

  “The solid middle class became the force to stabilize the society, but over the past several years, the suicide and unemployment rates hit a new high while the gap between the rich and the poor continued to widen,” he said.

  

  Premier Liu Chao-shiuan puts his jacket back on yesterday on the request of Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng during an interpellation session. Liu had taken off his jacket in response to a request from Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lu Shiow-yen.

  PHOTO: FANG PIN-CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES

  So the Cabinet’s main goal was to recreate the prosperity of the middle class by reviving the economy and reducing the unemployment rate so that many people will be able to increase their income, he said.

  Liu said he expected the Cabinet to prioritize financial issues in the face of keen international competition as well as take care of other aspect of people’s lives.

  He said the Cabinet aims to increase per capita annual income to US$30,000, lower the unemployment rate to less than 3 percent and raise the economic growth rate to more than 6 percent.

  Per capita GDP now stands around US$17,000, while the unemployment rate is 3.9 percent and the economy grew by 5.5 percent last year.

  “We expect the administrative team to perform well and manage government resources properly to provide the people with comprehensive, high-quality services and allow them to live a better life,” Liu said

  The premier began his report, however, with an apology.

  He said he was sorry for the inconvenience caused by his surprise announcement on Tuesday that fuel and electricity prices would be hiked, effective at midnight that night.

  But he said the move had been necessary to help the market return to normal.

  The price hikes were scheduled to be announced tomorrow, which had led some gas stations and motorists to stockpile fuel.

  Liu also promised farmers that they would be able to purchase as much fertilizer as they need, after fertilizer prices were hiked yesterday.

  Stressing that the government will subsidize 70 percent of the price hike, Liu said he had asked the Council of Agriculture to maintain a stable supply of fertilizer to meet farmers’ needs.

  Liu said more policies to stabilize soaring commodity prices will be implemented soon, including a thorough review of the tax system and creation of more jobs by activating the “i-Taiwan 12 infrastructure construction projects” that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) promoted during the presidential campaign.

  Liu said the government would continue to provide childcare subsidies for working parents and would consider offering allowance to children.

  ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CNA
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