Taipei, July 6 (CNA) A Cabinet meeting will be held on July 10 to finalize the budget for a major infrastructure development program so that it can clear the Legislative floor as soon as possible, a spokesman said Thursday.
The meeting is expected to approve the first segment of the budget, said Cabinet spokesman Hsu Kuo-yung.
The sum -- more than NT$100 billion (US$3.27 billion) -- will be earmarked for the period from July 2017 to the end of next year and will cover new items in the "forward-looking development program" such as measures to address the issues of food safety, low birthrate and talent cultivation, he said.
Hsu's announcement came a day after the Legislative Yuan gave a third reading of the bill for the development program, which includes improvements in rail transportation, water environment, green energy, digital development, and urban and rural development, in addition to the three new items.
In line with the legislation approved Wednesday, the government will spend up to NT$420 billion over the next four years. After the four-year period, the Executive Yuan can opt for an extension of another four years to continue the plan, with the approval of the Legislative Yuan.
