TAIWAN TO HOLD 2ND NATIONAL ECONOMIC CONFERENCE.

TAIPEI, Dec 1 Asia Pulse - Premier Frank Hsieh said Wednesday that the administration will see to it that a second national economic conference is held prior to the Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan. 29, 2006.

Following a recent announcement by President Chen Shui-bian that the government would convene a second national economic conference after the "3-in-1 elections" slated for Dec. 3, the Cabinet-level Economic Planning and Development Council (CEPD) will begin from early December organizing such a meeting aimed at addressing economic issues and revitalizing the investment climate, Hsieh said.

Speaking at a regular Cabinet meeting, Hsieh said the domestic economy had been steadily improving over the past three months, with growth for the third quarter hitting 4.38 per cent.

He added that growth for the fourth quarter was expected to reach 5.28 per cent.

Nevertheless, Hsieh noted, the government was obliged to work "to re-establish social and economic stability after the tumultuous elections" so as to regain the people's confidence in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

CEPD officials began on Wednesday to meet and consult with business and industrial leaders on the holding of the economic conference, Hsieh added.

President Chen made the announcement on the holding of a second national economic conference recently in response to an appeal by the country's business and industrial leaders in early November.