ROK's Moon announces US$29.5 bln in additional cheap loans for exporters

The Republic of Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday (April 8) the government will make an additional KRW36 trillion (US$29.5 billion) worth of cheap loans available for exporters hit by the coronavirus.

Speaking at a policy meeting with economic chiefs, Moon said businesses and domestic demand devastated by the coronavirus pandemic deserves additional support which the government plans to provide through policy banks, tax benefits and other measures.

Loan guarantees will be extended for exporters, while debt will be rolled over for small businesses. Fresh measures worth KRW17.7 trillion will be rolled out to boost consumption and support domestic demand, he added, without giving details.

Wednesday's announcement adds to planned economic rescue package of KRW100 trillion (US$80 billion) in late March designed to help companies and put a floor under crashing stocks and bond markets.

ROK, which has been praised for its fast and effective response to the pandemic, has recorded a total of 10,384 coronavirus cases as of midnight Tuesday, with 200 deaths.

Reuters

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