France's economy grew 1.5% in 2010 and is set for 2% growth in 2011, official figures showed today, in line with earlier forecasts.
'This is not disappointing because it corresponds to the latest forecasts,' Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said. 'It is a sign that the recovery is there,' she added.
Growth in the fourth quarter of 2010 alone was 0.3%, according to the figures from national statistics agency INSEE - lower than earlier forecasts of 0.5-0.6%.
'I hope the first quarter of 2011 will be much better,' Lagarde said. She said that mass strikes in several sectors in October slowed growth.
Lagarde reaffirmed the government's target of 2% growth for 2011, although this has been judged over-optimistic by analysts. France suffered a recession in 2009 with a 2.5%contraction.
