The French economy should grow 0.6 per cent in the third quarter of the year, the Bank of France said today.
The government is sticking to its forecast of 2.0 to 2.5 per cent growth for this year. Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said, and the government is expecting faster growth than 0.5 per cent in the third and fourth quarters.
The European Commission earlier this week downgraded its forecast for growth in France for the year to 1.9 per cent from a previous 2.4, based on growth of 0.5 per cent in the third and fourth quarters.
In another report, national statistics office INSEE said consumer prices rose 0.4 per cent in August month-on-month on an EU-harmonised basis and 1.3 per cent year-on-year.
The Bank of France also said its business sentiment indicator stood at 108 in July, unchanged from June.
French companies have complained that the strong euro is making it tough for them to export.
