LISBON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese government has disbursed 835 million euros (984.9 million U.S. dollars) to companies affected by storms that struck the country earlier this year, Goncalo Regalado, chief executive of Portuguese Development Bank (Banco Portugues de Fomento), told Parliament on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Budget, Finance and Public Administration Committee, Regalado said the funds have so far reached 4,260 companies, while a further 1.46 billion euros (1.72 billion dollars) in loans are awaiting approval.

The support scheme consists of two credit lines. One is aimed at financing reconstruction of storm damage in municipalities where a state of emergency or calamity was declared, while the other provides liquidity support, including working capital and essential operating costs, according to the bank.

Assistance has been extended to businesses across a range of sectors, including industry, transport and logistics, construction, agriculture and retail. ■