Measures to help businesses and individuals cope with the current economic downturn can be expected soon, said Foreign Minister George Yeo.

Speaking at the North East Community Development Council district meeting yesterday, he said that while some of these announcements will come through the Budget in February, the matter is urgent enough for some policies to come earlier, in the coming days or weeks.

'Worldwide the tide has been flowing out, and it is important that in our own lagoon there is enough water to keep us going...Not the same high tide we used to enjoy, but some water in the lagoon to keep us afloat. That means helping individuals in difficulties, helping small- and medium-sized enterprises,' said Mr Yeo.

He gave no hint, though, of what to expect.

In 2001, the two off-budget packages amounting to $13.5 billion in total were offered. They accelerated expenditure on economic and social infrastructure projects, cut business costs by granting more rebates and cutting hospital and utility costs, among others.

In April 2003, the Government introduced a $230 million relief package to help businesses cope with the Sars outbreak.

For now, the grassroots bodies are helping people find jobs.

The district's mayor, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, said that in the last two weeks, there has been a 25 to 30 per cent jump in the number of job seekers turning to the CDC and 'we expect the numbers to grow'.