President Ma Ying-jeou said on Monday that his administration has already allocated NT$98.2 billion (US$32.2 billion) to help industries that might be negatively impacted by the trade in services agreement with China.
“The government has allocated NT$98.2 billion to help different companies in the next ten years," said Ma. [The money] will be used to help them boost business, make structural changes, and compensate them for their losses. In fact, we already have a comprehensive strategy in place.”
Meanwhile, a Taiwanese business association – the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China – said the association supports the cross-strait trade pact. The association has offered to speak with the protesters to give them a better understanding of the trade deal. But it is also calling on the government to explain how it will spend the money it’s planning to use to help local industries.
In addition, the Taipei-based Chinese National Federation of Industries and the Taiwan Financial Services Roundtable are both voicing support for the trade pact with China.