宜蘭阿華

Yilan County Magistrate Lu Guohwa helps plant rice seedlings during a rural community assistance program organized by the local government. (Courtesy of Yilan County Government)

• Publication Date：10/23/2009
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Chiayi Ho

In 2006, work on the Hsuehshan Tunnel—an expressway linking Taipei and Yilan counties—was completed, signifying the dawn of a new era. According to Yilan County Magistrate Lu Guohwa, the 16-year wait to put this piece of strategic infrastructure in place was well worth it. Not only does the tunnel serve as a transport corridor between his county and the capital, but it has helped lay the foundation for Yilan’s long-term economic success.

“The government has made great strides in fulfilling infrastructure promises made to the geographically disadvantaged people of Yilan County,” Lu said in an exclusive interview with “Taiwan Today” Oct. 17. “The opening of the tunnel ensures that locals can access social and economic opportunities, while allowing goods to move from their point of origin to destination quickly and inexpensively.”

With the end of his term as county magistrate approaching, the 53-year-old regional leader reflected on his administration’s efforts to embrace the opportunities presented by the tunnel and changing economic landscape.

“When it comes to constructing a better county for the residents of Yilan, my team has utilized a pragmatic and fresh approach,” he said. “This has delivered real gains in employment, environmental sustainability, diversified culture, health care and social justice.”

But Lu’s take on Yilan’s economic performance is not just the words of an optimistic public official eyeing re-election. According to the latest data released by the Cabinet-level Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Yilan’s 461,500 residents enjoyed an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent for the first half of this year—the lowest in Taiwan and under the national average of 5.73 percent.

“Developing multiple industries and creating job opportunities remained a firm priority throughout my four-year administration,” Lu said. “To achieve this goal, we have sought to facilitate convenient transportation, improve the investment environment and create business incentives. These have all been decisive factors in stopping the flight of jobs and creating new opportunities.”

Having long despaired at Yilan’s sluggish economic growth, one of the first initiatives Lu unveiled after unseating two-term Democratic Progressive Party incumbent Liu Shou-cheng in 2005, was a series of measures aimed at boosting the local tourism, information technology and photovoltaic industries.

Renowned for its stunning mountain and coastal vistas, hot spring resorts and a wide selection of high quality fresh produce, Yilan’s tourism potential is without peer in Taiwan. As the county’s leading industry and major source of revenue, tourism has received strong support from Lu’s administration in terms of coordinated progressive policymaking.

“Given the quality service provided by five-star hotels, we have sought to promote their establishment in an effort to upgrade the local service industry and attract more international tourists.”

According to the local government’s Department of Tourism and Business, eight five-star hotel construction projects totaling NT$17.9 billion (US$551.44 million) are underway in Yilan. Upon completion, 1,600 hotel rooms will be added to the region and nearly 2,000 job opportunities created.

Lu explained that a “tourism factory” plan, designed to help local businesses upgrade their operations through cooperation with the county government, related business associations, and academia, has played a crucial role in developing the tourism industry. This has seen local organizations such as Lotung Farmers’ Association and King Car Whisky Distillery transformed into thriving tourism-orientated firms.

For the county magistrate, the creation of a low-pollution economy featuring a high value-added products industry is the optimal outcome of his policies. “This has seen the creation of multiple job opportunities, brought improvements in the quality of the local workforce, and most importantly, dispelled the myth of Yilan not being capable of sustaining a viable information technology industry.”

“Considering the promising future prospects of low-carbon industries, along with our commitment to protecting the environment, choosing to foster a photovoltaic industry has been a solid decision,” Lu said. “In targeting green industry projects, we will do whatever it takes to make the PV sector shine brightly in this county.”

Year to date, total PV sector investment in Lung-Te Industrial Park—the county’s premier IT manufacturing zone—reached NT$55.3 billion. This was split mainly between Sunrise Global Solar Energy Co. Ltd., Taiwan Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Unitech Co. Ltd., and other related PV-makers, according to the local government’s Industrial Development and Investment Promotion Committee.

In addition to its rosy economic outlook, the county also consistently tops livability surveys. This is attributed in part to a variety of programs covering beautification, heritage management and service enhancements.

Last month, Yilan was rated “the best county to live in” by voters participating in an online survey conducted by Yahoo Taiwan Inc. Moreover, the region is recognized as having one of Taiwan’s most effective local government-run cancer prevention schemes, according to the results of a recent survey released by local publication, “Common Health Magazine.”

Lu believes that such accomplishments are a credit to his administration’s painstaking efforts to create new industries for Yilan and offering residents a “better home for life.” “But my work is not yet finished,” he said. “There is still much to be done.” (JSM)

Write to Chiayi Ho at chiayi@mail.gio.gov.tw