French GDP to grow at least 5.5% this year - Villeroy
Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau (pictured) said on Tuesday that the country should expect an economic expansion of at least 5.5% in 2021. Including 2022, France "should... significantly" surpass the Eurozone average when it comes to economic growth, he also specified.
Speaking at an online event organized by French think tank Le Cercle des economists, Villeroy de Galhau noted that the first half of last year yielded "very poor" results, but added that "the rebound was very strong in the summer" and that the impact of subsequent lockdown measures "was much better controlled." Companies' investments rose by "a little more than 2%, and the demand for credit remains dynamic," he also revealed.
The central bank chief singled out supply bottlenecks and "recruitment difficulties despite high unemployment" as the main reasons for concern for the national economy.