Indonesia needs $6b in loans to plug budget deficit (701).

JAKARTA (JP): National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) chairman Boediono said on Saturday that Indonesia needed between US$5.5 billion and $6 billion in new foreign loans to plug the 1999/2000 state budget deficit. He said part of the needed loans had been secured after the country's largest donors, including Japan and the World Bank, confirmed their financial support earlier this year. "The total (overseas loans) we need is between $5.5 billion and $6 billion for the 1999/2000 fiscal year. But some (of the needed loan) have been pledged," he announced after attending a ceremony at the State Palace. Boediono said the remaining budget shortfall was expected to be covered …