Minister: All flood-hit plants in Thailand will restart in Q2

BANGKOK, January 6 (TNA) - Thailand's flood-stricken industrial plants in the North and central region are likely to all resume their operations in the second quarter of this year, after about 150 of them at flood-ravaged seven industrial sites have already restart their production. Thai Industry Minister Wannarat Channukul assessed that some 80 per cent of all flood-hit factories in the northern and central regions should be able to restart their manufacturing operations within the first quarter this year; while the rest would follow within the second quarter. Wannarat insisted that the Thai government has implemented assistance programs for the troubled factories, such as tax breaks and other incentives, including a plan to set up an insurance fund of 50 billion baht to guarantee their insurance coverage. According to the industry minister, his ministry has also coordinated with the Ministry of Labour to ensure adequate workforces required for the recovering manufacturers. (TNA)