Premier Liu Chao-shiuan forecast Thursday that Taiwan's economic growth will move out of the negative to record a positive figure in the fourth quarter of this year, paving the way for steady growth in 2010. The implementation of budgetary policies and expanded public construction projects are expected to generate an additional 200,000 jobs this year, Liu said. 'The jobless problem is now well under control, ' he added confidently. The premier made the remarks in a speech delivered at the Taipei International Convention Center, where executives of various local industrial associations were meeting. He said that since May 20, 2008, Taiwan has experienced a turbulent and challenging time, beginning with spiralling oil and raw material prices, followed by a global financial crunch that triggered an economic downturn and heavy unemployment, globally and domestically. In the face of mounting price fluctuations, the administration announced early this year that both oil and electricity pricing would return to market mechanisms -- a move with which the opposition disagreed, Liu said. Nevertheless, he noted, the policy proved successful so that today, Taiwan's commodity prices remain one of the lowest in Asia. To help the public cope with increased power rates, the government implemented an energy-saving incentive package, he went on, noting that as a result, 40 percent of households had electricity bills that were cheaper than a year ago, with 4.5 billion kilowatt hours saved. 'The saved electricity can be translated into a reduction of 2.88 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions,' he claimed. The administration has also scrambled to devise a series of stimulus programs to spur consumption and investment, stabilize the country's finances and prop up exports, he continued. Between March and June, the administration continued to promote the development of six new innovative industries aimed at accelerating Taiwan's industrial transition, he said. At the same time, the administration's decision to merge various cities and counties into bigger municipalities has paved the way for more sustainable development for the country. In general, he concluded, the stimulus measures and policies have worked, and the lingering crunch in the local bourse, monetary supply, financial indices and export trade have begun to bottom out, creating optimism for the future. 