PRESS DIGEST - Singapore newspapers - Feb 11

SINGAPORE, Feb 11 (Reuters) - The following are stories from Singapore newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories.

THE STRAITS TIMES

- The state investment promotion agency says it has seen a 40 percent rise in inquiries from Singapore firms looking for new investment abroad since 2007 as the domestic economy is being hit hard by the global financial meltdown.

- The Ministry of Education will double the amount of financial aid for needy students this year, planning to spend S$44.4 million.

BUSINESS TIMES

- The global financial crisis cost Temasek Holdings a S$58 billion paper loss in eight months, and the Government of Singapore Investment Corp's portfolio is expected to yield a lower than average return this year, a minister told parliament. ($1=1.492 Singapore Dollar)