Vice President Vincent C. Siew on the morning of July 16 attended the 2008 Government Information Technology Policy and Innovation Forum that was held at the NTUH International Convention Center. The vice president urged government agencies to employ information technology and maximize their innovative spirit, thereby forming a service-oriented government.
In remarks to the gathering, the vice president said that in addition to global climate change, globalization has caused countries throughout the world to face new issues and challenges with regards to the environment, energy, the economy, politics, aging and technology. How to overcome these difficulties and lay the groundwork for a new situation relies not only on best employing the advantages offered by information technology, but also innovative thinking and methods, which help set in motion new momentum. The vice president particularly pointed out IBM, which had representatives at the forum, as a perfect example of a company emphasizing both technology and innovation.
Vice President Siew told those attending the forum that when he served in the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Board of Foreign Trade, he promoted computerization within the agency’s offices. At the time, the CPUs purchased were made by IBM. Over the years, information technology has become more and more sophisticated. The size of machinery has become considerably smaller, but the functionality of the hardware has improved by leaps and bounds. This, he said, is the result of continued innovation. IBM, the vice president said, is the best model in this regard.
Vice President Siew also said that he has long believed that if Taiwan wants to boost its international competitiveness, it must first start by establishing a service-oriented government. Given the strength of the private sector these days, the government long ago was not needed to spark private sector development. Rather, the private sector is leading the government ahead. If the government performs poorly, the public will complain, he said. This is to say nothing of boosting national competitiveness. Government efficiency is quite an important indicator, he said.
The vice president said that over the past several days he has had the opportunity to hold private discussions with visitors from other nations. He has sought to understand the mechanisms and methods they have adopted in the face of globalization and internationalization. Amid heated competition, they are brimming with self-confidence, he said, having adopted new thinking and innovative styles in facing challenges. IBM is the same, he said. The vice president said he hopes this forum will enable government agencies to learn from the successful experience of IBM and will help boost their efficiency and efficacy. Everyone needs to work together to better Taiwan, he said.