FACTBOX-Argentine measures to protect jobs, economy

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Argentine President Cristina Fernandez
announced on Thursday fresh measures to protect jobs and
stimulate credit flow as economic and tax revenue growth cool.

For details, see [ID:N04380164].

Here are facts about the 13.2 billion peso ($3.8 billion)
package unveiled on Thursday as well as earlier measures such
as tax breaks for people who bring home funds invested abroad.

* The government plans up to $1 billion in low-cost
consumer loans for items such as refrigerators and $890 million
in loans for new cars, plus $865 million in small business
loans.

* Fernandez cut export taxes on wheat and corn by 5
percentage points, and an additional percentage point will be
cut for each additional 1 million tonnes produced.

* Last week the government announced a $21 billion public
works plan aimed at generating 400,000 jobs, with details
coming Dec. 15.

* The government also announced a fishing exports stimulus
plan.

* State bank Banco Nacion will develop a credit line to
improve the competitiveness of industries such as metallurgy.

* Companies that owe back taxes can pay them off over 10
years, at reduced rates, if they keep workers on the payroll.
Tax pardons will also be offered to small companies that
formally hire workers employed off the books.

* Tax cuts for companies that hire new workers.

* Previously the government announced tighter anti-dumping
controls on textile, appliance and footwear imports, mostly
from China and Brazil.

* The president has also sent to Congress a controversial
bill with tax breaks for repatriation of investments held
off-shore and put into government debt or agricultural,
industrial or real estate investments in Argentina. Critics say
it could fuel money laundering.

* The central bank has also taken a series of steps
including selling $4 billion in foreign reserves to bolster the
peso currency, increasing credit lines to the banking sector,
reducing deposit requirements for banks, and repurchasing
notes.
(Reporting by Lucas Bergman; Writing by Fiona Ortiz; Editing
by Kenneth Barry)