France in new push to lift debt

France has renewed its drive for debt relief for countries devastated by hurricane Mitch, extending its own offer to write-off…

France has renewed its drive for debt relief for countries devastated by hurricane Mitch, extending its own offer to write-off debt owed by Nicaragua and Honduras to include Guatemala and El Salvador.

The total write-off covers 739 million francs ($132 million).

The amounts written off by France are also relatively small compared to the total amount owed by the four countries.

According to World Bank estimates, Honduras owes $4.1 billion, Nicaragua $5.9 billion, Guatemala $3.7 billion and El Salvador $2.7 billion.