The motto of the the French finance ministry is: Predictions over performance.

FRANCE STICKS BY 2.5-PCT GROWTH TARGET

PARIS February 8, 2005 (AFP) - [Economy and Finance Minister Herve Gaymard] said that the government stood by a target of 2.5 percent economic growth this year. ▲

However, analysts generally foresee 2005 growth of 1.8 percent. ▼

FRENCH GROWTH FALTERS

PARIS May 20, 2005 (AFP) - The French economy faltered in the first quarter, official data showed on Friday, casting gloom on the outlook for the rest of the year. ▼

The statistics institute INSEE, which published the adjusted gross domestic product data, also revised down growth for 2004 from 2.4 percent to 2.1 percent. ▼

2006 FRENCH BUDGET PLANS FOR 2.25PC GROWTH

PARIS, September 28, 2005 (AFP) - France presented on Wednesday a budget for 2006 based on economic growth of 2.25 percent, a budget deficit just within EU limits and an oil price of US $60. ▲ But the public debt and the total amount of national output taken by taxes and charges would both rise. ▼

Meanwhile, separate data showed that controversial reforms to slash huge overspending on health services, a central factor in the overall budget deficit, have so far failed. ▼

Finance minister Thierry Breton said in a copy of a speech for the National Assembly that he stood by a growth target of 1.5-2.0 percent this year. ▲

FRENCH GROWTH DISAPPOINTS IN 2005

February 10, 2006 (BBC) - For the year, GDP grew by 1.4%, compared with 2.1% in 2004. ▼

Separate reports showed France's trade deficit tripled in 2005, and industrial production declined in December. ▼

MINISTER SINGS UPBEAT TUNE ABOUT FRENCH ECONOMY

PARIS, May 19, 2006 (AFP) - The French economy is set for growth of 2-2.5 percent this year and privatisations will cut national debt quicker than planned, Finance Minister Thierry Breton said Friday, bringing bright news to the beleaguered government. ▲

... He said that growth "is set on an annual trend" of 2-2.5 percent, adding that expansion was being driven by consumer spending and exports. ▲*

Nevertheless, analysts reacted with disappointment to the figures for the first quarter, saying growth was a result of a recovery in the broader eurozone and was being driven, unsustainably, by consumers spending on credit. ▼

... French statistics office INSEE also downgraded its estimate for growth for 2005 to 1.2 percent from a previous 1.4 percent, marking an even greater slowdown compared with 2004 when growth had been 2.3 percent. ▼

LATEST FRENCH ECONOMIC STATS: A 'BLOW WITH A CLUB'

PARIS, Nov 10, 2006 (AFP) - The French economy stagnated in the third quarter of the year, official data showed on Friday, an abrupt slowdown that surprised analysts and spelled bad news for the centre-right government six months before presidential elections. ▼

Figures from French statistics agency INSEE showed the economy registered zero growth in the third quarter compared with the second quarter, casting doubt on a government target of 2.3 percent growth this year. ▼

"It's like a blow with a club," said an analyst at the Paris-based Asterès economic consultancy, Nicolas Bouzou.

FINANCE MINISTER SHRUGS OFF Q3'S BAD NEWS ▼
PARIS, November 23, 2006 (AFP)

FRENCH ECONOMIC GROWTH AT 2.0 PERCENT

PARIS, Feb 13, 2007 (AFP) -French gross domestic product rose by 2.0 percent last year, with a rise of 0.6-0.7 percent in the fourth quarter, provisional figures from the statistics office INSEE said Tuesday. ▲

Finally. [Sigh.] Two percent growth.

* Yes, too bad that didn't pan out.

PFFT (What is this?): Talking prosperity 4 | Hyping prognostications 4 | Rayonnement français 0