Taipei, Aug. 3 (CNA) The upcoming Universiade in Taipei is likely to spur NT$11.9 billion (US$393.5 million) in economic benefits in Taiwan over a two-week period, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said Thursday.
In a Cabinet meeting held to discuss matters related to the Universiade, the MOE reported that some 15,000 jobs had already been created in the run up to the 2017 university games.
Many of those jobs were in the area of construction as the venues for the Universiade were being built or renovated, the ministry said.
In addition, consumer spending is projected to increase by at least NT$3 billion during the Aug. 19-30 games, the MOE said.
The central government has contributed NT$7.4 billion to Taipei City's budget to host the games, according to the ministry.
The 2017 Universiade is the biggest multi-sport event ever to be held in Taiwan, with 11,397 representatives from 131 countries, including 7,639 athletes, scheduled to participate.
