The Ministry of Finance (MOF) will hold the "21st Golden Thumb Awards for Private Participation in Infrastructure Awards Presentation Ceremony" at 2:00 p.m. on December 1 (Friday) at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC). The public is welcome to attend the ceremony and applaud this year's award-winning teams!
According to the MOF, this edition of the Golden Thumb Awards saw the participation of 34 organizations and 28 PPIP projects. After a rigorous review process and on-site inspections, 14 organizations and 10 projects stood out and are being recognized for their achievements. Among them are four local governments, namely Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taichung City, and Kaohsiung City, as well as eight private institutions, all of whom are honored with this prestigious distinction.
The only High Distinction Award of this year’s Golden Thumb Awards goes to the BTO Project of LinHai Sewage Treatment Plant and Reclaimed Water with Private Participation of Kaohsiung City involved in the construction and operation of the Kaohsiung Coastal Sewage Treatment Plant and Effluent Water Recycling System. This project marks the first pioneering example in the country to have both a sewage treatment plant and a recycled water plant jointly built and operated by private investment. The use of membrane bio-reactor (MBR) technology significantly enhances the quantity and quality of recycled wastewater. This innovative approach effectively implements a circular economy and mitigates the problem of water shortage in southern Taiwan, earning acclaim from the Selection Committee.
In addition to projects executed under the "Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects" (PPIP Act), two winning projects in this edition were carried out in accordance with the Government Procurement Act. These projects were eligible for participation in the Golden Thumb Awards because their contract designs incorporated mechanisms for private investment in infrastructure construction and operation, aligning with the mission of the Golden Thumb Awards in encouraging private sector involvement in public infrastructure construction. The two projects are the "Performance-based contract for road inspection, maintenance and repair in Zhongshan district in Taipei City" and the "Entrusted Operation Management Project of Taichung Calligraphy Greenway Square with Affiliated Facilities". Notably, both projects not only stood out but also received both the Government Agency Award and the Private Agency Award, which is a rare accomplishment. Among them, the application of performance-based contracts to road repairs and maintenance is an innovation pioneered by the New Construction Office, Public Works Department of the Taipei City Government. This initiative encourages private institutions to leverage their expertise to propose innovative construction methods, thereby reducing the government's manpower burden and streamlining administrative processes. Furthermore, the project streamlines road inspection effectiveness through smart technology, earning additional recognition from the Selection Committee in the form of an Innovation Award. The jury encourages this practice of leveraging private sector creativity and efficiency to enhance the quality of public services and suggests prioritizing the adoption of the PPIP Act in similar initiatives in the future.
The MOF pointed out that the Golden Thumb Awards were established to recognize and reward government agency teams and private agency teams that provide quality public services. Through impartial and fair evaluation and public recognition, the aim is to inspire more government agencies and private enterprises to participate in public construction. The awards have been held 21 times, with a total of 141 government teams and 189 private teams receiving recognition over the years. The 14 winning teams of this edition will be publicly awarded at the awards ceremony (see detailed list in Appendixes 1 to 3). Additionally, the Kaohsiung City Government Water Resources Bureau, the sole recipient of the High Distinction Award, will share their experiences in the process of handling the BTO Project of LinHai Sewage Treatment Plant and Reclaimed Water, thereby sharing their award-winning experiences and insights. All are welcome to actively participate in the event. The latest news and updates can also be found in the Golden Thumb Awards section of the Private Participation in Infrastructure Information System of the Ministry of Finance (https://ppp.mof.gov.tw/WWW/gta/news.aspx).
Press release contact: Section Chief Chen, Tzu-Wen
Tel: (02)2322-8218