Govt to set up post-SARS reconstruction committee

Taipei, June 4, 2003 (CENS)--The government will add a new committee to handle the post-SARS reconstruction. Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday appointed his deputy Vice Premier Lin Hsin-yi as convener of an organizing panel for the new committee.

Yu said the new committee to be formed will take on the major tasks of stimulating economy, reforming the medical and health system, reconstructing the society, and rebuilding the nation's image, which has be tarnished by the massive SARS outbreaks.

He said that in addition to providing financial relief to airlines and travel enterprises affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, the Ministry of Economic Affairs should step up efforts to attract foreign investment and expand export promotion.

The formation of the post-SARS reconstruction committee under the Executive Yuan (Cabinet) is to improve the efficiency in implementing the financial relief and public construction projects.

Vice Premier Lin, who has already holds over a dozen of titles and positions, will lead the work of setting up the new committee, Yu added.

In addition to giving taxi and tour coach drivers financial assistance in the form of free gasoline, the Cabinet decided yesterday to set aside NT$100 million to help revive the business at traditional markets hit hard by SARS fears.

President Chen Shui-bian personally took a tour of a night market in Wanhua District in Taipei yesterday evening to help drum up the dormant business. He was accompanied by Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and other senior officials, including Vice Premier Lin, and

new Health Minister Chen Chien-jen.

Chen led the group to pray for peace and prosperity for the nation at the Longshan Temple built by earlier immigrants from mainland China and then toured the famous Huaxi Street, a major marketplace-style tourist spot with numerous eateries and restaurants, to sample the Hokkaido squid, pig leg noodles, and other delicacies.