Kittiratt to propose loan fund for helping flood-hit industrial sites

Kittiratt to propose loan fund for helping flood-hit industrial sites

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong is preparing to ask the Cabinet to consider establishing a loan fund for rehabilitating seven flood-damaged industrial estates.

After convening with entrepreneurs whose factories are located in seven flood-torn industrial estates, namely Saha Ratana Nakorn, Rojana, Hi-Tech, Factory Land, Bang Pa-in, Nava Nakorn and Bang Kadi, Mr Kittiratt stated that he would request the Cabinet to set up a special fund for providing the troubled operators with rehabilitation loans. The project will possibly require a budget of over 100 billion THB; however, some foreign financial institutions have expressed interest in contributing to the relief effort.

As part of the rehabilitation plan, seven subcommittees will be formed to take care of the seven industrial sites individually and coordinate relevant operations with the main panel. The ultimate goal is to help all impacted entrepreneurs resume their operations within 45 days after the water levels drop to below flood barriers in their areas.

In case machinery or equipment needs to be imported from overseas by the operators for pumping out the floodwater or repairing the utility system, exemptions will be imposed on their tariffs while authorities will also help speed up related procedures.
 
BANGKOK, 24 October 2011 (NNT) – Reporter : Surapan Laotharanarit
     News Date : 24 October 2011