Spain’s indebted Andalusia region yesterday finalised its request for €4.9 billion in aid from the central Government to survive the financial crisis, an official said.

Andalusia, the most populated of Spain’s regions, had indicated in September that it would reach out for help as it buckles under heavy debts and struggles with a 33.9 per cent unemployment rate.

It “sent the letter to the national treasury minister this afternoon. We have made the request officially” to tap an €18-billion fund for troubled regions, said Andalusia treasury spokeswoman Antonia Peinado yesterday.

Spain’s regions, which control budgets such as healthcare and education, are a key focus of Spain’s efforts to stabilise its public finances amid fears that the country itself may need bailing out.

Five other regions have also announced plans to seek rescue funds from the fund: Valencia, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, the Canary Islands and the big northeastern region of Catalonia, which has started receiving its aid.