Thematic Billion-Dollar Investment Plans: Sports and Big Health Funds Expected to Launch This Year

(CNA, reporter Pan Zih-yu, Taipei, July 1) The National Development Fund (NDF) is guiding capital into national key industries through thematic billion-dollar investment plans. Minister of the National Development Council (NDC) Kung Ming-hsin stated today that the sports and big health thematic funds are expected to be established this year, with the sports fund likely to precede, and the big health fund anticipated to be completed by the end of the year.

To foster the development of Taiwan's startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the NDF, in conjunction with various ministries, is promoting thematic billion-dollar fund investment plans. These themes cover areas such as strategic manufacturing, strategic services, SMEs, cultural and creative industries, AI startups, green growth, and smart robotics.

During a legislative session of the Economic Committee at the Legislative Yuan today, KMT legislator Lu Yu-ling inquired about the progress of the thematic billion-dollar fund initiatives, particularly the sports and big health thematic funds.

Kung Ming-hsin explained that for the sports fund component of the thematic billion-dollar investment plans, the Ministry of Sports announced it in May. The procedural timeline is two months, expected to be completed by mid-July. Following this, it will be submitted for approval by the management committee. Once relevant mechanisms are in place, further promotion can commence.

Regarding the big health fund, Kung Ming-hsin stated that it is currently still in the planning phase. However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has expressed its willingness to promote it, and efforts will be made to integrate the big health fund into the billion-dollar investment plan as soon as possible before the end of this year.

Kung Ming-hsin also mentioned that each ministry has different implementation steps. Therefore, the NDC has established a "Cross-Ministerial Integration and Management Platform for Thematic Billion-Dollar Funds." Working meetings are held quarterly, and management committee meetings are held semi-annually, with the aim of strengthening horizontal policy integration and maximizing resource synergy.

Furthermore, in response to legislative concerns about whether the NDF's investment review process includes a robust conflict of interest avoidance mechanism, the NDC's written report indicated that direct investment cases of the NDF undergo a three-stage review process: policy evaluation, investment evaluation review committee, and management committee. Only after approval are they co-invested with private capital. For the angel investment program review process, an investment evaluation review committee is established to assist with relevant investment review matters, and co-investment is made with angel investor capital.

The NDC stated that the NDF assists industry development through investment, which differs from general subsidies, sales, leases, contracts, or other procurement and transaction types. All investment applications received are handled in accordance with the "Civil Servant Conflict of Interest Avoidance Act."

The NDC emphasized that the NDF's investment-related operations will continue to be reviewed and adjusted on an ongoing basis based on the existing foundation. The NDF highly values issues of information transparency, conflict of interest avoidance, and investment management that are of concern to the public. It will continue to improve relevant investment operation procedures under the premise of lawful administration and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises. (Editor: Tsai Su-jung) 1150701

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