Taiwan to give everyone an 'AI bonus' of NT$10,000 (about 410,000 won) during the Lunar New Year holiday

[Financial News] Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said the government plans to pay cash of NT$10,000 (about 410,000 won) per person to the entire population during the Lunar New Year holiday early next year.
According to Taiwan's English-language newspaper the Taipei Times on the 15th, President Lai said at a meeting of the party's Central Committee in Taipei that day that the timing of the payments would depend on the outcome of the Legislative Yuan (parliament)'s review of next year's budget.
He said the payments could be made before the Lunar New Year holiday if the Legislative Yuan passes next year's overall budget before January 5.
President Lai also said Taiwan's economy has posted record results this year, driven in part by the boom in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, including at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), and that exports are expected to reach $900 billion for the first time by the end of the year. Taiwan's exports hit $87.72 billion last month, setting another record.
President Lai stressed that the AI industry is the main driver of this growth and that its gains should be shared with the public without burdening state finances. The Taiwanese government calls this an 'AI bonus,' and the Executive Yuan has already set up a dedicated unit to ensure the payment process can be completed before the Lunar New Year holiday.
The government also plans to strengthen competitiveness across industries by accelerating AI-driven digital transformation in traditional industries and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and exploring a NT$100 billion fund for SME development.
Meanwhile, the opposition Kuomintang is calling for a plan to pay NT$20,000 per person. Taiwan's Ministry of Finance has rejected the proposal, saying, "It would undermine fiscal soundness and lead to additional government bond issuance."
 


[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, international affairs specialist Reporter