“Ekanat” orders urgent relief for flooding in the North – SME debt suspension

'Ekanat', Minister of Industry, ordered to accelerate flood relief in the North, delivering relief bags - suspending debts of SMEs affected. Mr. Ekkanat Promphan, Minister of Industry, revealed that the severe flooding in the northern region has affected people's lives both in homes and industrial factories on a large scale. The Ministry of Industry has summarized the flood situation in all 14 provinces, with 61 businesses damaged, with a total value of more than 42.1 million baht, and no less than 505 small and medium-sized enterprises directly and indirectly affected (data as of September 11, 2024). He also urged all agencies under the Ministry of Industry to prepare for urgent assistance. Currently, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Mr. Nattapol Rangsitpol, has assigned the Provincial Industrial Offices (PIOs) in the flood-affected areas to urgently survey the damage of affected businesses and urgently deliver relief bags, which is a collaboration between government agencies, the pri vate sector, businesses, and industrial plants nationwide through the activity 'Industry Unites to Help Thai Brothers and Sisters'. In addition, a full-scale relief plan has been prepared after the flooded areas have receded. Agencies under the DDPM are to urgently provide assistance to entrepreneurs and the public by 1) preparing staff, engineering teams, or community technicians from the Technical Career Project to renovate, repair, and restore machinery and electrical systems. 2) Sending staff to assess the problem and provide advice on business issues, plan, and restore the establishment through the DIPROM Business Service Center (BSC). 3) Sending staff to provide advice on restoring the production process, GMP/HACCP/GHP quality systems, and safety standards through the DIPROM Center in regional areas so that entrepreneurs and the public can return to normal operations as soon as possible. 4) A 3-month debt repayment suspension for SME Development Fund debtors. 'After the water recedes and the situation improves, I and the executives of the Ministry of Industry will urgently go to the area to provide assistance to businesses and the people in the surrounding areas. The Ministry of Industry would like to send encouragement to those affected by the floods, so that everyone can overcome this crisis and return to their normal lives as soon as possible. We will stand side by side with our people to overcome this difficult time,' said Mr. Ekkanat. Source: Thai News Agency