Taiwan started handing out shopping vouchers to each of the island's residents on Sunday, as part of a 2.5-billion-dollar scheme aimed at boosting the island's flagging economy. Government employees began distributing the vouchers at more than 14,000 locations island-wide early in the morning.
Every one of the island's 22.7 million citizens are entitled to the vouchers, worth 3,600 Taiwan dollars (107 US) per person, regardless of age. The idea for the vouchers, which can be spent on goods ranging from food and clothing to electronic appliances, was first raised in November last year.
Supporters of the plan have said it should give the island's sagging economy a much needed shot in the arm, while critics have labelled it a waste of money, with the costs estimated at 85 billion Taiwan dollars (2.53 billion US).
The plan, proposed by the island's top economics planning body, the Council for Economic Planning and Development, is based on a similar initiative launched by Japan in 1999. Among other moves to prop up the island's economy, Taiwan's central bank has cut the cost of borrowing six times in the past three months.
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