France
EU's Almunia says no ECB rate rise from French No
European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said on Tuesday 26 April that the European Central Bank is unlikely to raise interest rates if France rejects the European Constitution in the May 29 referendum.
France's Noyer on the euro, a stabilizing factor
In a speech on 'The euro, a stabilizing factor at home and abroad' given on 21 March Christian Noyer of the Bank of France said that in contrast to the domestic role of a currency, which is strongly determined by institutions, the international role of a…
Bank of France reduces gold holding
Bank of France Governor Christian Noyer said in an interview that he has "no special plan to modify the composition" of the central bank's foreign-exchange reserves this year as the bank offloads gold to buy currencies.
French audit office criticises central bank
The French financial press reported that France's audit office, Cour des Comptes, has submitted what it described as a very severe report on the way in which the Banque de France is managed.
Bank of France cuts growth forecast
The Bank of France has lowered its first quarter growth forecast for the French economy by 0.1 points to 0.4%.
New French finance minister installed
Thierry Breton arrived for work on Monday 28 February as France's fourth finance minister in less than a year following the resignation of Herve Gaymard last week.
French finance minister resigns over apartment
Herve Gaymard, the French finance minister, resigned on Friday 25 February following revelations about his state-funded luxury apartment.
Trichet's passion for the French language
Asked in a recent interview if he prefers the language of Shakespeare to that of Moliere, Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, said that over ten years ago he founded the Club of French-speaking central bankers whose members…
BoF's Noyer says French GDP forecast plausible
In an interview on Monday 7 February, Bank of France governor Christian Noyer said the government's 2.5 per cent forecast for GDP growth in 2005 is plausible, although economists have suggested the figure is too optimistic.
Unions to oppose Bank of France agreement
Four unions which represent 72 per cent of staff at the Bank of France have said they will oppose an employment agreement signed by managers and minority unions, Le Monde reported.
French fin min hints over ECB intervention
The newly appointed French finance minister, Herve Gaymard, warned in an interview that the US dollar's weakness is "very worrying" and suggested possible intervention by the European Central Bank.
French PM concerned on dollar weakness
French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin voiced concern about the euro's surge to record highs against the dollar, but didn't comment on whether he thought the European Central Bank should intervene.
Bank of France to sell some gold reserves
The French Finance Ministry said in a statement on Friday 19 November that discussions on the sale of a portion of France's gold reserves have been finalised with the Bank of France.
France's Noyer sees oil prices as main threat
The Governor of the Banque de France, Christian Noyer, identified high oil prices as the most significant threat to French growth, in an interview with French newspaper Les Echos.
Interview: Jacques de Larosière
Europe must stick with its fiscal rules says the former managing director of the IMF and governor of the Banque de France. Interview by Robert Pringle.
France's Noyer calls for budget discipline
Addressing officials at the annual International Monetary Fund/World Bank autumn meeting, Bank of France Governor Christian Noyer said the world economy had returned to a growth path and urged countries to tighten their public finances.
KAS bank connects to Banque de France
KAS Bank is the first non-French bank to realise a direct connection to the payment system of the French Central Bank. KAS Bank has been active as a General Clearing Member and Settlement Agent on the French market since 2001.
France's Raffarin sees 2.5 % GDP growth in 2004
French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said he expects GDP growth of 2.5 per cent in 2004 and said that economic growth is sustainable.
Interview: Christian de Boissieu
Professor de Boissieu is head of the economic advisory council attached to the French prime minister’s office. In this exclusive interview he explains how Europe’s economic rules should be rewritten. Interview by Robert Pringle.
Banque de France, Fin Stability Review, June 2004
At the turn of the year, growth picked up in all advanced economies as well as in most emerging economies, in particular in Asia. The economic recovery, already in full swing in the United States and in Japan, gained momentum in the euro area, albeit at…
Bank of France raises growth forecast
The Bank of France raised its forecast for growth in the second and third quarters as June retail sales surged, manufacturers lifted production, and executives' confidence was its highest in more than three years.
Chirac calls on ECB to consider Europe's growth
The European Central Bank should not limit its role to controlling inflation and should review its mission so that it can take into consideration Europe's growth, French President Jacques Chirac said on Wednesday 14 July .
Noyer says ECB rate can't stay low forever
Bank of France governor Christian Noyer said in an interview that the ECB's interest rates are appropriate, but that financial markets should not expect them to remain low forever.
Arhar says Slovenia not ready for euro
Slovenia is not sufficiently prepared to enter the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II), France Arhar, chairman of the Slovene branch of Bank Austria Creditanstalt, told the weekly Mag, saying that the country is experiencing unusual circumstances in long…