Businesses strive to recover after storms and floods

(GLO)- The storm had just passed when a fierce flood came, causing many businesses in Gia Lai province to fall into a situation of "double loss". Factories were submerged in water, machinery was damaged en masse, goods awaiting export were submerged in mud..., production and business activities were paralyzed.

Heavy damage, production paralyzed

The historic floods in mid-November have caused damage to many industrial parks (IPs), industrial clusters (ICs), small and medium-sized production facilities, and enterprises at various levels. All are struggling to overcome the consequences, making efforts to restore production amid numerous difficulties due to reduced resources, interrupted order fulfillment processes, and the risk of labor shortages and permanent disruptions to production chains.

Workers of Tin Nhan Bio-Energy Company Limited (Phu Tai Industrial Park) clean up the warehouse after floodwaters receded. Photo: Hai Yen

At Phu Tai Industrial Park (Quy Nhon Tay Ward), Tin Nhan Bio-Energy Company Limited suffered heavy losses when the entire warehouse of wood pellets that were being prepared for sale to partners was flooded and completely damaged. According to the contract, on November 19 and 21, the company had to deliver goods to international partners; however, the floodwaters rose rapidly, causing the factory to be covered in mud, forcing the company to negotiate to delay the delivery schedule.

Not only did the entire inventory of goods go missing, the company's office area was flooded more than 1 meter deep, damaging computers, data storage devices and many important documents. Outside, the fence collapsed, and wooden materials were spilled out with the water.

Ms. Vo Thi To Nu - Chief Accountant of Tin Nhan Bio-Energy Company Limited - shared: "After the water receded, the unit mobilized all employees to clean up, check equipment, and review machinery. The preliminary damage is about 50 billion VND. All the flooded pellets are considered discarded. We just hope to soon restore production to pay orders on time and maintain our reputation with customers."

Similarly, Duc Toan Company Limited, an outdoor furniture manufacturer, was also in dire straits. A thick layer of mud covered the factory, forcing hundreds of workers to work continuously for days to clean up, wash and dry raw materials such as fabrics and mattresses. Machinery and equipment were damaged by the floodwaters.

"Despite our best efforts, the company will be able to resume operations by the end of November at the earliest," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, the company's representative.

According to the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board, 33 enterprises in Phu Tai Industrial Park suffered damage, estimated at around 500 billion VND. Many enterprises that had just recovered from storm No. 13 continued to suffer from historic floods, adding to the damage.

Workers of Duc Toan Company Limited clean up the factory and premises when floodwaters recede. Photo: Hai Yen

Struggling to recover

Not only in Phu Tai Industrial Park, businesses in Phuoc An Industrial Park (Tuy Phuoc Tay Commune) are also struggling to recover from the flood. Tan Thanh Long Production - Trade and Service Company Limited, which specializes in supplying accessories for the wood industry, had its gate and factory wall collapsed, and more than 10 tons of rattan were swept away by the water. Many batches of goods with labels were oxidized and had to be discarded.

Ms. Hua Thi Hoang Yen - Director of Tan Thanh Long Company Limited - said: "The cost of changing oil and cleaning machines alone is up to 500 million VND. Workers have to work overtime continuously, the company hires more outside workers to classify plastic feet, plastic buttons, and repair machines. The electricity was just turned on last night so we just started testing. I hope the State will soon implement support policies to help businesses recover quickly such as: reducing taxes, reducing bank interest rates...".

Workers repair machinery and equipment at businesses affected by floodwaters. Photo: Hai Yen

Despite proactively responding to storms and floods, the damage to Tay Do Company Limited - a steel pipe manufacturing company - is still very large, because many heavy machines cannot be moved. Floodwaters swept away 8 containers of goods worth about 5 billion VND, when there were only 2 days left to ship. Mr. Pham Son Nam - Director of this company said: "80 workers are trying to overcome the situation, but the narrow warehouse is causing many obstacles. We hope to extend the debt and increase the loan limit to have capital for re-production."

The concern about the consequences of storms and floods is still evident in every worker. Mr. Dao Khanh Bien (Canh Vinh commune) - a worker at Tay Do Company Ltd. - shared: "As soon as the water receded, I went to work immediately because the company was preparing to ship goods. If the work stopped for a long time, both the company and the workers would face difficulties."

During the field inspection at enterprises after the recent historic flood, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Thanh requested departments and branches to develop financial support plans, prioritizing small and medium enterprises; at the same time, ensuring stable employment for workers. The Provincial People's Committee leaders affirmed that they will accompany enterprises and propose the Government to issue a special mechanism to support production recovery after natural disasters.

“Restoring industrial infrastructure, protecting business assets and ensuring workers’ livelihoods are both immediate and long-term tasks. The province will make efforts to help businesses overcome this difficult time,” Mr. Thanh emphasized.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/doanh-nghiep-no-luc-guong-day-sau-bao-lu-post573538.html