The French economy grew by 1.1% in 2002 from, according to the latest figures from the Bank of France today. The government and most economists had expected growth for last year to turn out at 1%. After growing 0.4% on a quarterly basis in the last three months of 2002, the French economy would expand only 0.2% in the first quarter of this year, the Bank of France said in a monthly study.
French economic growth, although not so weak as in neighboring economic giant Germany, has been slumping as businesses, concerned about international tensions and limp consumer demand, have cut down on investments.//www.onbusiness.ie