FRANKFURT, Sept 30, 2008 (AFP) - The German industrial group Siemens said Tuesday it estimated the cost of a major restructuring plan at 3.0 billion euros (4.3 billion dollars).

Most of that amount would be booked in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, Siemens said in a statement.

In July, the huge group launched an 'historic' restructuring programme that included the elimination of 16,750 posts.

The 160-year-old firm that makes products from lightbulbs and medical equipment to trains and power stations, employs some 400,000 people worldwide.