Saab could get state bridge loan if gets new owner

STOCKHOLM May 20 (Reuters) - Swedish carmaker Saab could get a bridging loan from the state to smooth the transition to a new owner from current parent General Motors Corp (GM.N), a spokesman for Enterprise Minister Maud Olofsson said on Wednesday.

"If Saab finds a new owner there may be a bit of a gap (in financing)," enterprise ministry spokesman Frank Nilsson said.

"So we are prepared to go in during that period."

He said that the condition for Saab to receive government money was that it find a new owner. He said no sums had yet been discussed, but the government had put aside 5 billion Swedish crowns ($649 million) for such emergency loans as part of a package announced in December to help the car industry. ($1=7.706 Swedish Crown)