Premier Lai Ching-te

Taipei, Nov. 6 (CNA) Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Monday that the government will provide 1,442 hectares of land for industrial use as part of its efforts to meet demand for space in that sector over the next five years.

At a press conference, Lai made three proposals for acquiring the land, as the government prepares to launch an initiative this week to tackle what it said were the major obstacles to investment, namely impending shortages of water, electricity, labor and professional talent.

Lai said that by the end of 2022, demand for land in the industrial sector will increase by 1,266 hectares.

In the first instance, the government will seek to tackle the problem by making available 806 hectares of public lands, 371 hectares of which will be offered for rent at preferential rates in the first two years, Lai said.

Secondly, under the mandates of the recently amended Act for Industrial Innovation, the government will tighten up on land speculation and encourage private landowners to provide 589 hectares for industrial use, he said.

The third strategy is to encourage the establishment of new industrial parks and the restoration of factories, the premier said.

Under the recent amendments to the Act for Industrial Innovation, a fine may be levied against landowners if their property remains unused for three years after purchase from a government-developed industrial park. 

(By Shih Hsiu-chuan)
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