The overall goal was to establish a transparent, efficient and modern government that is responsive and responsible to the public. Needless to say, this effort also bespeaks the development of a full-fledged democratic system in Taiwan.
The task of promoting government reform and innovation is primarily the responsibility of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission under the Cabinet, which is charged with overseeing administrative efficiency and modernization at all levels of government. The RDEC also evaluates government agencies' administrative performances and delivers rewards or penalties accordingly.
Together with three other Cabinet agencies--the National Science Council, Council for Economic Planning and Development, and Central Personnel Administration--the RDEC formed a task force to oversee administrative reform and modernization, technological development, economic development and management of government personnel.
Within Asia, such a task force is unique to Taiwan. It is not an exaggeration to say that it played a major role in Taiwan's economic and political accomplishments. It also assisted the Cabinet in general and the premier in particular to ensure that administrative plans and directives were carried out efficiently and on schedule.
Because of the task force's outstanding performance, many Asian officials pay a visit to the relevant agencies during their trips to Taiwan. The nation's achievements in providing e-government services are especially admired by countries keen to improve administrative efficiency, enhance public services and establish modern administrations, all of which are essential for the consolidation of democracy.
One of the most notable achievements of Taiwan's e-government is the saving of billions of dollars of taxpayers' money each year without incurring administrative incompetence.
The Cabinet recently endorsed plans to expand the existing e-government services to enable everyone to pay electric, water and telephone bills, make tax payments, and record changes in property registration and so forth through online applications. Completion and implementation of such convenient public services will mark another big step in Taiwan's administrative modernization and democratic reform.
Quelle/Source: Taiwan Journal, 09.04.2007
