FACTBOX: Global stimulus rescue plans

Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:58pm EST
 
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(Reuters) - As world leaders arrive in Washington on Friday to discuss a response to the global financial crisis, some governments have already announced fiscal stimulus packages to help their economies withstand its effects.

Below are some details:

* AUSTRALIA:

-- The government has announced a A$10.4 billion ($6.8 billion) package of cash handouts and family benefits.

-- It is providing A$1.5 billion to boost the housing and home building markets and doubling the grant for first-time home buyers. They will now get A$14,000 from an original A$7,000.

* CHINA:

-- China approved a 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion) government spending package to bolster demand. The fiscal policy, which runs through 2010, will target investments in roads, railways and airports infrastructure.

-- China also confirmed a change in value added tax (VAT), which will allow companies to deduct the cost of capital equipment, saving them about 120 billion yuan a year.

* GERMANY:

-- The government has announced a package which will generate about 50 billion euros ($64.22 billion) in investment and contracts.

- A new lending program of up to 15 billion euros will be introduced for German state-owned development bank Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KfW) to strengthen its lending activities. KfW's infrastructure program for structurally weak local authorities will be raised by 3 billion euros.

-- Urgent investment in transport will be accelerated via a new program totaling 1 billion euros in both 2009 and 2010.

-- The government will make available an additional 200 million euros in 2009 for states to boost regional economies.

* HUNGARY:

-- Hungary announced plans for a 1,400 billion forint ($6.88 billion), two-year stimulus package to kick-start economic growth. The package does not involve new spending but a regrouping of existing funds to assist small and medium-sized businesses.

-- 680 billion forints will be allocated to provide lending guarantees primarily to SMEs and 260 billion forints will provide liquidity for lending.  Continued...

 

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