New National Development Council Positioned as Top Government Agency
2014/01/29 | By Judy LiThe Taiwan government recently inaugurated a new National Development Council (NDC) as its top agency for planning, coordination, resource distribution, and management control.
The NDC merges the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) and the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (RDEC), as well as parts of the Public Construction Commission. Former CEPD minister C. M. Kuan is heading up the new agency.
The advent of the new agency means that the CEPD, which was set up in December 1977 but actually dates back to the establishment of the Council for U.S. Aid in 1948, is no more.
Speaking at the NDC's inauguration ceremony, President Ma Ying-jeou expressed the hope that the council will take the lead on major projects, particularly an overhaul of the military and Taiwan's participation in regional economic integration (efforts to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, among other regional trade blocs), as well as on economic development, foreign affairs, and even relations with mainland China.
The NDC's goals, Minister Kuan said, will be focused on the development of the economy, society, population structure, land planning, and government administration. At the moment, the priority will be on implementing the Free Economic Pilot Zone plan and on proposing reforms to build Taiwan into a hub for creative industries. (JL, Jan. 2014)