The government of Tibet Autonomous Region will offer compensation for businesses and business people who suffered losses during riots earlier this month, said a regional official on Thursday.

Baema Chilain, vice-chairman of the regional government, announced the policy in response to a question from a reporter of the foreign media tour of Lhasa.

His promise was echoed by Duan Xiangzheng, director of regional Administration for Industry and Commerce.

"The government will provide interest-free or government subsidized loans to help the businesses resume," Duan said.

According to official statistics, 908 stores were smashed, looted or burnt and 120 homes were burnt during the riot on March 14.

The reporters, from 19 media organizations including the U.S.-based Associated Press, Britain's Financial Times and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, were touring the Tibetan capital on a three-day official trip.

Lhasa is returning to normal after the riot, which led to the deaths of at least 18 civilians and one police officer.

It also left 382 civilians and 241 police officers injured, businesses looted, and residences, shops and vehicles torched.

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2008)