Growth of the French economy speeded up to 0.5% in the first quarter from 0.3% in the last quarter of last year, according to the latest official data.
But the data, published by the official statistics institute INSEE, fell short of expectations by the Bank of France and economists. The central bank had signalled a growth figure of 0.7% for the first quarter, and economists 0.6%.
Meanwhile, French Economy and Finance Minister Thierry Breto said that France's economy will grow by 2-2.5% this year. He told a press conference today that growth was settling at an annual trend rate of 2-2.5%.
And the French current balance of payments showed a slightly increased deficit in March on a 12-month comparison, the economy ministry said today.
In March the deficit was €1.793 billion from €1.721 billion 12 months earlier, the adjusted data showed. In February and in January the monthly figure had shown deficits of €3.5 billion.
In the first three months of the year, and on an unadjusted basis, the balance showed a cumulative deficit of €4.3 billion from a deficit of €4.7 billion the same time last year.
