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Monday, April 06, 2020, 17:32
Singapore adds US$3.5b to stimulus to combat coronavirus
By Reuters
Monday, April 06, 2020, 17:32 By Reuters

People wearing face masks walk through a shopping district on Orchard Road in Singapore on April 5, 2020. (ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)

SINGAPORE - Singapore announced S$5.1 billion (US$3.55 billion) in additional economic spending such as wage support, waiver of levies and one-off payments to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The situation remains highly fluid and uncertain. The government stands ready to provide further support should it become necessary.

Heng Swee Keat, Finance minister, Singapore

"This is an unprecedented budget for extraordinary times," Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat told parliament on Monday, just over a week after the city-state unveiled more than US$30 billion in new support measures as it braces for its worst recession.

On Friday, Singapore said it will close schools and most workplaces for a month as part of stricter measures to curb a recent jump in coronavirus infections. Singapore has reported a total of 1,309 infections and six deaths from the coronavirus.

ALSO READ: Singapore to close schools, most workplaces amid virus

Heng said the new measures unveiled in the third budget will increase the total spending on coronavirus relief to S$59.9 billion or 12 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). He said Singapore will draw an additional S$4 billion from its past reserves to fund the new measures.

"The situation remains highly fluid and uncertain. The government stands ready to provide further support should it become necessary," Heng said.

Heng said Singapore's overall budget deficit for financial year 2020 is expected to increase to S$44.3 billion, or 8.9 percent of GDP.

READ MORE: Singapore signals recession for world as virus batters economy


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