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French central bank foresees 0.4-pct economic growth in 1st quarter

Xinhua, February 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

The French economy is set to grow by 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2015, led by expected gain in industrial and services activities, France's central bank, Banque de France (BdF), said Monday.

In its monthly business climate survey, the BdF said that indicators in the industrial sector rose sharply in January, pulled up by chemical, pharmaceutical and transportation equipment businesses.

The industrial capacity rate rose by 0.5 percent to 76.9 percent -- the highest level since 2012, with the order books "improved significantly and deemed satisfactory overall," according to the survey.

The index for the industrial sector increased to 97 points in January, one point higher than December's data. In services, the appreciation indicator was stable at 91 points.

"I think we are gaining our bet, but we should not stop reforming and supporting our economy," Prime Minister Manuel Valls told the local broadcaster Europe 1 on the same day.

Based on the improved business climate at home and in Europe, the French government expects the economic growth of the entire year to reach one percent, compared to 0.4 percent expected for 2014. Endi