Based on the “Special Statute For COVID-19 Prevention, Economic Relief and Restoration (嚴重特殊傳染性肺炎防治及紓困振興特別條例)” passed by the Executive Yuan on Feb. 25, the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) has completed detailed plans of its economic stimulus package for Hakka settlements across Taiwan in April.

Measures for boosting industries in Hakka villages

1. Distributing travel e-vouchers (to be rolled out in July)

2. Organizing sales activities and trade fairs (after the pandemic has eased)

Relief plans for boosting industries in Hakka villages

A. The 369 project for domestic travel to Hakka villages

1. For friendly Hakka-speaking stores

(1) Eligible applicants: Retailers, restaurant owners, and guesthouse operators in the 70 key development areas of Hakka culture across Taiwan, not including e-commerce sellers, pharmacies, department stores, convenience stores, hypermarkets, and chain stores.

(2) Way to apply: Download the app and sign up on the website, filling up an application form by providing required information.

(3) E-voucher reimbursement: Scan the voucher QR codes and redeem the coupon. The voucher system will produce a transaction list and payment receipts per month. Shop owners can apply for reimbursement with these receipts at the Hakka Affairs Council.

2. For customers

(1) Eligible applicants: Tourists who have a smartphone and have an interest in traveling to Hakka villages.

(2) Way to apply: Taiwanese citizens can download the app and sign up on the website with the ID card number and smartphone number to get 8 NT$100 vouchers, for a total value of NT$800. Foreign tourists on group tours can also obtain e-coupons of the same value with the help of travel agencies.

(3) Application period: The project will start from July for Taiwanese nationals. As for foreign tourists, the beginning date of application will be officially announced after Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) proclaims the worldwide pandemic has slowed down.

(4) Where to use: The e-vouchers can be used in retail stores, restaurants, guesthouses with a Hakka-friendly environment certification in the 70 key development areas of Hakka culture across Taiwan.

B. Organizing sales activities and trade fairs

A number of sales activities and trade fairs will be held in tourist areas and urban regions, as well as on internet platforms. Various promotional strategies have been worked out in cooperation with local civic groups for both brick-and-mortar stores and online businesses as a means to increase product availability and further help the industrial development of Hakka settlements.