Business groups urge cross-party negotiations for economic development

Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) Taiwanese business groups on Wednesday called for the government and opposition to resolve their ongoing conflicts, which they characterized as detrimental to national economic environment.

National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, R.O.C. Chairman Lee Yu-chia (李育家) told CNA that Taiwan's economic conditions are good, with economic growth estimated at 4.23 percent in 2024.

Taiwan also won the WBSC Premier12 Championships title, is in a leadership role in global chip supply, and holds a crucial position in the artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain, he said.

Less domestic friction would boost further such advantageous conditions, Lee said.

As a democratic country, Taiwan needs to resolve its political obstacles in a democratic manner, Lee observed, expressing hope that the government and opposition can find mutual goals to work toward.

Echoing Lee, Paul Hsu (許舒博), head of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China, pointed out that the essence of democracy is majority rule, and that the president and lawmakers were both democratically elected.

He called on the government and opposition parties to talk over their disagreements for the good of the country and its people, rather than for their parties and power.

As the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds the minority in the Legislature, it is necessary for them to seek agreement with the opposition, he said. "The government should take the initiative and extend an olive branch."

The remarks were made in the wake of President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) New Year's Day address, in which he acknowledged the partisan wrangling that has marked his first seven months in office.

The president did not specify the nature of the conflicts, but said they have plagued domestic politics within Taiwan's constitutional system of government.

Nevertheless, his comments were aimed at the ongoing disagreements between the DPP and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) in the Legislative Yuan.

Neither the KMT, with 52 seats plus two aligned independents, nor the DPP, with 51 seats, has a majority in the 113-seat Legislature, giving the TPP, with eight seats, a pivotal role in passing bills.

To date, TPP lawmakers have sided with the KMT on legislation that the DPP has opposed, including three amendments passed in December. The Cabinet said it will decide whether to ask the Legislature to reconsider one of the amendments Thursday.

The amendments, which triggered scuffles in the Legislature, introduced measures to tighten recall petition requirements, limit the Constitutional Court's ability to rule on cases, and adjust central government revenue allocations.

Regarding Lai's speech about industrial development, Lee appreciated Lai's acknowledgement of Taiwan's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as there are more than 1.4 million MSMEs in the country.

Lee anticipated that the government will devote resources to help MSMEs upgrade and transition, by enhancing their digital abilities, using of AI skills and making progress toward net zero emissions.

In addition, many MSMEs are not knowledgeable about carbon fees and need the government to provide more related training and subsidies, Lee added.