Ma steps ups efforts to tackle Taiwan talent crisis

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou instructed central government agencies and ministries June 28 to help tackle Taiwan’s talent crisis by easing relevant administrative regulations.

“The president believes highly skilled workers are an important key to Taiwan’s long-term development, and there can be no delay in laying a solid foundation for nurturing and retaining such talent,” Presidential Office spokesman Fan Chiang Tai-chi said.

“All government ministries and agencies will list priority items that need to be revised in this regard, as well as a timetable for making the changes,” he added.

Minister without Portfolio Kuan Chung-ming and the Council for Economic Planning and Development will be jointly responsible for carrying out quarterly reviews of progress on this front, according to Fan Chiang.

Ma issued the directive after listening to a report by CEPD Minister Yiin Chii-ming on the talent crisis and how to address it.

“Taiwan faces a tough international environment, with talent being lured away by Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and South Korea,” the president said.

“Taiwan has become a sort of talent reservoir for other nations, which is not beneficial in terms of the island’s long-term development and competitiveness,” he added.

Ma said it will take between five and 10 years to see the positive effects of the effort to recruit, cultivate and retain talent in Taiwan, so it is necessary to take immediate and effective action over the next two years. (SB-THN)