Monday, November 3, 2008

S.Korea to spend another $11 bln to boost economy

* South Korea to spend $11 billion to help economy
* GDP growth may fall to lowest in a decade without stimulus
* Export growth hits 13-month low as demand dries up

By Cheon Jong-woo

SEOUL, Nov 3 - South Korea said on Monday it plans to pump an extra $11 billion into its economy next year to help soften the impact of the global financial storm, which is beginning to hit exports -- the country's economic lifeblood.

The pledge coincided with news of lower-than-expected inflation, which analysts saw as possibly paving the way for another interest rate cut this week after last week's record 75 basis point cut to prop up Asia's fourth largest economy.

"The Bank of Korea will likely cut the rates further, at least by 25 basis points this Friday. If not, it may push the financial market into a tailspin again," said Park Jong-youn, fixed-income analyst at Woori Investment & Securities.

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