MOF head named top finance minister for 2015
2015-05-06
ROC Minister of Finance Chang Sheng-ford received the Global and Asia-Pacific Minister of the Year Award May 2 in the Azerbaijan capital Baku, underscoring the effectiveness of his real estate and income tax reforms.
The award, which recognizes the excellence of officials in stimulating growth and stabilizing economies over the previous 12 months, is sponsored by London-headquartered magazine The Banker. Chang is the first finance minister from Taiwan to win the honor.
“I am very pleased my work has earned the endorsement from bankers and economists worldwide,” Chang said. “It represents a fair appraisal for the efforts by all staffers at the ministry.”
According to Chang, his greatest day-to-day challenge is balancing fiscal responsibility with the demands of a society shaped by a declining birth rate and aging population.
“I will continue leading my team to improve Taiwan’s public finances for sustainable national development through implementing an equitable taxation system and promoting private participation in infrastructure projects, among other measures,” he said.
This year’s award ceremony was held on the sidelines of the Asian Development Bank’s 48th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors. During the gathering, Chang delivered a speech in which he highlighted the role Taiwan can play in advancing ADB goals.
“Taiwan’s track record in successfully promoting green industries and sustainability serves as a reference for the ADB in helping its developing economy members improve standard of living and quality of life,” he said.
According to Chang, another initiative worth emulating is the Public-Private Partnership implemented in 2000. “It has created more than 170,000 jobs, saved US$28 billion in estimated public outlays and boosted government coffers by US$20 billion,” he said.
“Taiwan is also willing to share its successful experiences using leading-edge information communications technology capabilities for enhancing public administration efficiency.”
Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=230010&ctNode=413)
