Taiwan to Distribute 10,000 NT Dollar Cash Bonus to All Citizens

Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai has announced a plan to distribute a 10,000 New Taiwan dollar cash bonus to every citizen, funded by the nation's robust economic performance. The initiative aims to share the fruits of economic development and AI-driven growth with the public.

The government anticipates a surplus of 236 billion NT dollars from increased revenue and budget savings, which will be used for the cash handout. Premier Cho assured that this distribution would not compromise or delay any of the government's scheduled policy implementations and budget allocations for the upcoming year.

This move comes as Taiwan's economic growth rate for the first half of the year reached an impressive 14.15%, with projections for the full year revised upwards to 11.05% – a 39-year high. The government plans to allocate substantial funds across six key areas in the upcoming budget: smart technology, social welfare, resilience and security, soft power enhancement, fair distribution, and sustainable growth.

Significant investments are earmarked for technological advancement, including AI development and key strategic industries, alongside a substantial increase in social welfare spending to support families and the elderly. National defense funding will exceed 3% of GDP, adhering to NATO standards, while water management and infrastructure projects will also receive increased funding. The budget also includes provisions to bolster the labor and health insurance funds, ensuring long-term stability and public well-being.