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France’s Central Bank Sees Slight Fourth Quarter Growth

Published: December 8, 2022
Facade of the Bank of France "Banque de France" headquarters in Paris, France is seen on March 12, 2018. (Image: REUTERS/Charles Platiau)

PARIS, France —The French economy is on course to finish the year with slightly positive growth in the fourth quarter, the country’s central bank revealed on Thursday, Dec. 8 in its monthly outlook.

The euro zone’s second biggest economy is set to grow 0.1 percent in the final quarter of 2022 from the previous three months, after posting growth of 0.2 percent in the third quarter, the Bank of France said.

In the bank’s monthly survey of 8,500 companies, services firms reported an improvement in business while activity was stable in industrial companies and slipped in construction.

The survey also indicated supply chain tensions had eased to their lowest levels since surging last year in the wake of the post-pandemic reopening, with only 41 percent of firms reporting problems in industry and 36 percent in construction.

The share of firms reporting difficulties finding enough staff also slipped, although it remained high at 53 percent — down from 55 percent in the previous month.

By Reuters. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Frances Kerry)