France's economy stagnated in the second quarter after an encouraging 0.7 percent rise in GDP in the three months before, with investment falling away, according to official statistics released Friday.
Finance Minister Michel Sapin insisted that the second biggest economy in the eurozone was still on course to post 1 percent growth over the year as a whole.
"After a very dynamic first quarter, the level of activity has held up," he said.
But the government, which has been pinning its hopes on growth to tackle the country's chronic unemployment problems, will not have been cheered by slowing growth in investment, which rose only 0.2 percent compared to 0.6 percent in the first quarter.
Consumer spending also slowed sharply, from a 0.9 percent rise in the first three months of 2015 to only 0.1 percent in the second quarter.
In one good sign, however, the contribution France's exports made to the economy rose by 0.3 percent, while imports slowed by 1.6 percent.
GMT 14:02 2018 Sunday ,02 December
RDIF says $2 billion will be invested in Russian economy from joint Russian-Saudi fundGMT 12:03 2018 Friday ,30 November
Canada on track to sign new free trade deal with US and MexicoGMT 07:59 2018 Wednesday ,21 November
Merkel policies in focus in final debate on draft German budgetGMT 16:57 2018 Wednesday ,31 October
Putin to discuss relations development prospectsGMT 16:04 2018 Monday ,29 October
Russian, Cuban presidents to discuss strategic partnershipGMT 12:57 2018 Saturday ,27 October
"Undeclared war" forces Russia to boost defense spendingGMT 15:45 2018 Friday ,26 October
Medvedev to represent Russia at upcoming APEC summitGMT 14:12 2018 Thursday ,25 October
Saudi Arabia plans to invest in Russian-Chinese Fund soonMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor