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Greexnspan to testify on fiscal policy Jan. 25

WASHINGTON: Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will testify on fiscal policy before the Senate Budget Committee on Jan. 25, just a week before the U.S. central bank's keenly awaited policy meeting Feb. 1-2.

A panel spokeswoman said Greenspan's topic would be "Evolving fiscal challenges". He is due to appear at 10 a.m. (1500 GMT).

Late on Thursday, Greenspan indicated the Fed is ready to raise short-term interest rates at its February meeting to prevent the booming U.S. economy from overheating.

Separately, the committee said U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers would testify on Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. (1500 GMT) on the administration's budget for fiscal 2001, which starts in October.-Reuters