Premier Yu, Minister Lin, Minister Yu, Mayor Ma, Chairman Hsu, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good Afternoon!
I am very pleased to join you today at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Taipei Exhibition Center in Nangang. Since the 17th of this month and after the opening of the Taiwan Design Center, Nangang Business Park has reached yet another milestone in the history of its development.
With the expansion of Taiwan's economy and trade in recent years, the capacity of the Taipei World Trade Center can no longer accommodate the increasing demand for exhibition space by industries and businesses in Taiwan. To meet the manufacturers' pressing need, the government has actively planned to develop the Taipei Exhibition Center in Nangang. Under the close cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of the Interior, we have finally completed the submission of public bids and commenced today's ground-breaking ceremony. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and commend Premier Yu and all other colleagues for their dedication and contribution.
After the accession to the World Trade Organization, Taiwan faces increasing competition of globalization. For a country that has high dependency on international trade, this presents a serious challenge to our economy. To create Taiwan's unique competitive edge, I have repeatedly emphasized the importance of "deeply cultivating Taiwan while reaching out to the world", which is the main objective for our national economic development in the new era. We are not only in competition with other nations; we are also racing against time. Sponsoring international exhibitions provides assistance for businesses to acquire information and seize business opportunities effectively. Through "face to face" interaction and communication among manufacturers and foreign buyers, it not only promotes commerce and exchange of technology but also elevates and transforms industrial expertise. In addition, it also bring about the development of other peripheral industries and create tremendous business opportunity for various local commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants, communication, transportation, retail, remodeling, and entertainment, etc.
My administration has proposed "Challenge 2008: National Development Plan", with making Taiwan a "Green Silicon Island" being one of its major focus. The construction of the Taipei Exhibition Center in Nangang will fulfill one of the blueprints we have laid out for national development. It is also my tangible promise for strengthening Taiwan's economy. Upon the completion of its construction, Taipei Exhibition Center in Nangang will be able to partner with the existing 250 businesses in the Nangang Business Park – including prominent international corporations such as IBM, AMD, Philips, Siemens, NEC, and HSBC. In time, we can expect even more prosperity in Nangang and Nehu districts.
Looking to the future, we are confident and optimistic: in the past few years, we have improved our economic environment and augmented our competitiveness. With the goal of "economic revitalization" and "comprehensive reform", my administration has brought to fruition many policy advancement and outstanding achievement—including ranked number one in economic growth among the "four tigers" and top-tiered rankings in several international economic competitiveness evaluations. Evidently, the promises we made four years ago have now step-by-step become the prosperity that Taiwan can be proud of today.
In closing, let me wish Taipei Exhibition Center in Nangang every success during its construction. Let us persevere and work together in realizing the blueprint of building Taiwan into a pivotal trade center and Taipei Exhibition in Nangang a window to the world. My best wishes for every success, prosperity, health, and happiness to each one of you. Thank you.