The billion dollar program aimed to promote 'a faster recovery by businesses affected' by the flu, particularly tourism, the finance ministry said in a statement.

It would include US$757 million for new credits and US$303 million for loan restructuring, with around half destined for small businesses in Mexico City - the worst hit by the flu and the shutdown designed to contain it.

Around US$151 million would go to the badly-hit tourism sector, the statement added.

The flu's impact was expected to cost the economy around US$2.3 billion, around 0.3 per cent of gross domestic product, the finance ministry said last week.

Finance Minister Agustin Carstens said that Mexico was in a recession.

Mexico on Monday upped its H1N1 flu death toll to 56 and kept primary schools in six states closed due to further flu fears as most returned to classes after more than a week. -- AFP