Aussie raises overseas aid

Aussie raises overseas aid

SYDNEY (DPA): Australia announced Tuesday an increase in its overseas aid program for this year by A$120 million (US$60 million) to A$1.7 billion ($850 million).

Despite the increase, aid as a proportion of Australia's gross domestic product will fall to its lowest level ever, dropping to about 0.25 percent.

Papua New Guinea will continue to be the single biggest recipient of Australian aid, getting A$343 million .

Aid to Indonesia will rise marginally to A$121 million - exactly the same amount as Australia will spend in formerly Indonesian-ruled East Timor.

All outstanding debts from Nicaragua and Ethiopia will be forgiven, the Australian government said.