"The World Bank has approved a $1.5 billion loan to support Mexico's economic policies implemented in response to the global crisis, the bank said in a statement on Tuesday. The Mexican government's policies focus on developing measures that generate fiscal and financial sustainability, labor market efficiency and improved integration in the global economy, the statement said...." [Reuters/Factiva]

AFP adds that "...the objectives of the joint economic effort include a temporary work program that will create 600,000 jobs in Mexico by the end of 2010, and efforts to increase the gross domestic product by 10.3 percent through non-petroleum revenues. Another $491 million World Bank loan is destined for Mexico's fight against the swine flu pandemic and includes an inoculation drive for 10 million people...." [Agence France Presse/Factiva]

AP reports that "...the Bank says in a statement the interest on the loans will be variable based on a 6-month interbank rate, on a 10-year and 18-year basis, respectively.... The swine flu loan will focus on prevention and control efforts, including vaccines, treatments and improved monitoring and detection...." [Associated Press/Factiva]