A petrochemical zone in Kaohsiung may be a good solution in dealing with that key industry. That’s the word from Economics Minister Woody Duh in an interview with Radio Taiwan International on Tuesday.
Duh said the government has a lot to learn from the recent gas explosion disaster in Kaohsiung. He said 45 pipelines will be checked within the next 3 months
He also said there needs to be a solution that takes into account the industry’s economic importance. He believes setting up a petrochemical zone near the south may be a good compromise.
"If there is no suitable location [for a zone] and we put an end to Kaohsiung’s petrochemical industry, that would have a very big impact on Kaohsiung,"said Duh.
"That’s because the industry makes up one-fourth of the city’s GDP. It employs 15,000 persons and would impact over 50,000. That would be a great impact. So I hope to find a compromise, which would be developing it in the south. That would keep it a distance from the urban areas and maintain the jobs in that industry."
Duh said that any plans for such a zone would have to be discussed with the local residents and coordinated with the Kaoshiung City Government.