The Cabinet is planning to earmark an additional NT$200 billion (US$6.8 billion) in assistance to industries hit hard by COVID-19.
The Cabinet expects to formally approve this expenditure on July 23. The Cabinet says it plans to send the approved budget to the Legislature for immediate review. However, the Legislature is in its summer recess and will have to call an extraordinary session to get the relief budget passed. The Cabinet says it will respect the Legislature’s decision on when to hold this session.
During a Cabinet meeting Thursday, Premier Su Tseng-chang spoke about the importance of the new relief budget. He said that with no vaccine for COVID-19, international travel remains risky. He said this means uncertain times for trade and commerce. He also said that limits on international travel affect not just Taiwan’s key export sector, but also its tourism and transport sectors.