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93132
Fri, 12/04/2009 - 12:54
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http://m.oananews.org//node/93132
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PM seeks solution to suspended projects at Map Ta Phut
BANGKOK, Dec 4 (TNA) - Thailand's government will apply three measures to resolve the status of manufacturing projects suspended in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in the eastern province of Rayong, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court on Wednesday upheld the suspension of 65 factories and industrial projects in the country’s largest industrial estate, but 11 projects designed to reduce environmental impact problems have received permission to continue their operations.
Mr Abhisit told reporters after chairing a meeting of concerned government ministries to solve the environmental impasse that the government would implement the three measures to deal with the problem.
Firstly, the four-party Map Ta Phut panel chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun was drafting regulations in support of the Constitution's Article 67, which would be a basic principle for all projects to follow, which when implemented could lead to the court to withdraw its order suspending the projects.
Secondly, he said, the government has responsibility to inform the private sector to know about the court order
and wanted the private sector to observe the court's order strictly.
And thirdly, as a short term measure to limit the damage and building confidence, the Ministries of Industry and Energy have been assigned to prepare reports on the status of each project that is affected by the court order.
The remedy for the affected projects would be prepared after receiving details from the Industry Ministry.
In September, the Central Administrative Court in September issued an injunction ordering suspension of the 76 industrial projects at Map Ta Phut, due to environmental concerns.
The court injunction followed complaints from local residents and environmental groups that state agencies had failed to issue proper operating licences for the industrial projects.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on Thursday urged Thailand's creditor financial institutions to extend their loan repayment period for the owners of 65 suspended investment projects in the Mab Ta Put Industrial Estate since the Supreme Administrative Court’s decision to uphold suspension of the projects might affect their cash flow.
At this stage, he said, the project owners must accelerate preparing a report on the environmental impact assessment. All projects can resume their operations if their reports are approved.
However, he acknowledged that the court ruling could likely affect the ability of the companies to implement their projects and receive any cash flow as the projects receiving the loan support are not producing.
Consequently, it is necessary for creditor banks to discuss with their debtors impacts they had got from the court’s decision. The banks might opt to extend the loan repayment period for the affected debtors.
"Actually, it is a responsibility of each creditor bank to assess the possible impact on projects to which it gives financial support. In my view, most banks make a feasibility study of the projects carefully before they approve a loan," he said.
Mr Korn added that the court’s ruling, which was made rather quickly, is considered timely because it could serve as a clear guideline for all agencies concerned to follow.
He allowed the environment awareness is one of crucial matters all countries including Thailand must recognise and comply with. (TNA)
Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court on Wednesday upheld the suspension of 65 factories and industrial projects in the country’s largest industrial estate, but 11 projects designed to reduce environmental impact problems have received permission to continue their operations.
Mr Abhisit told reporters after chairing a meeting of concerned government ministries to solve the environmental impasse that the government would implement the three measures to deal with the problem.
Firstly, the four-party Map Ta Phut panel chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun was drafting regulations in support of the Constitution's Article 67, which would be a basic principle for all projects to follow, which when implemented could lead to the court to withdraw its order suspending the projects.
Secondly, he said, the government has responsibility to inform the private sector to know about the court order
and wanted the private sector to observe the court's order strictly.
And thirdly, as a short term measure to limit the damage and building confidence, the Ministries of Industry and Energy have been assigned to prepare reports on the status of each project that is affected by the court order.
The remedy for the affected projects would be prepared after receiving details from the Industry Ministry.
In September, the Central Administrative Court in September issued an injunction ordering suspension of the 76 industrial projects at Map Ta Phut, due to environmental concerns.
The court injunction followed complaints from local residents and environmental groups that state agencies had failed to issue proper operating licences for the industrial projects.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on Thursday urged Thailand's creditor financial institutions to extend their loan repayment period for the owners of 65 suspended investment projects in the Mab Ta Put Industrial Estate since the Supreme Administrative Court’s decision to uphold suspension of the projects might affect their cash flow.
At this stage, he said, the project owners must accelerate preparing a report on the environmental impact assessment. All projects can resume their operations if their reports are approved.
However, he acknowledged that the court ruling could likely affect the ability of the companies to implement their projects and receive any cash flow as the projects receiving the loan support are not producing.
Consequently, it is necessary for creditor banks to discuss with their debtors impacts they had got from the court’s decision. The banks might opt to extend the loan repayment period for the affected debtors.
"Actually, it is a responsibility of each creditor bank to assess the possible impact on projects to which it gives financial support. In my view, most banks make a feasibility study of the projects carefully before they approve a loan," he said.
Mr Korn added that the court’s ruling, which was made rather quickly, is considered timely because it could serve as a clear guideline for all agencies concerned to follow.
He allowed the environment awareness is one of crucial matters all countries including Thailand must recognise and comply with. (TNA)
