Taipei, Sept. 21 (CNA) Taiwan's economic growth may top 6 percent this year based on its excellent performance in the first half of the year, President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 10th congress of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce, Chen cited the latest report compiled by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) that Taiwan enjoyed an economic growth of 7.17 percent in the first six months of this year.
The DGBAS predicted that Taiwan's economic growth will be 5.87 percent for the whole year. Furthermore, Chen noted, if everything goes smoothly, the growth rate might even reach 6 percent.
Taiwan's international competitiveness has been sharpening and its momentum for economic growth has greatly increased following the government's efforts in conducting a series of financial and political reforms over the years, according to Chen.
He called on Taiwanese businessmen around the world to join in the government's efforts to help build Taiwan into a more advanced and modern nation.