ˇ@ˇ@Industrial competition is no longer confined by national boundaries given the advances of science and technology lately. To meet the challenges of global competition, the Executive Yuan has formulated a comprehensive development plan on a national scope - the ˇ§Challenge 2008ˇ¨.

 
 

ˇ@ˇ@The Executive Yuan established the Development Fund in 1973. The Fund is currently governed by ˇ§Statutes for Upgrading Industriesˇ¨, amended and promulgated in 1999 (ˇ§the Statuteˇ¨). The Statute was initially enacted in 1990, to replace the then expiring ˇ§Statute for Encouragement of Investmentsˇ¨ enacted in the early 1970's.

ˇ@ˇ@The Fund makes investments and extends financings with the objectives to promote industrial upgrading and improves the structure of industry, with a view to expedite Taiwan's economic development and to enhance its national competitiveness.

 
 

•  Investment in, or financing of, major enterprises or start up projects that are conducive to industrial upgrading or improvement of the industrial structure.

•  Extension of loans, in line with industrial policy, to assist the development of industries as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.

•  Introduction of technology; enhancing research and development, manpower training, and pollution control; promotion of improvement of the industrial structure; and reinforcement of economic development.

Other ad hoc funding programs to match economic development policy.