FRANCE: Public debt estimate revised down but set to hit record high in 2010
Local French Business Updates
French public debt for 2010 is now seen at 83.2 percent of GDP, down from the 84 percent estimated previously. The revised figure reflects, in part, improved 2010 growth prospects. Still, public debt is set to hit a record high.
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France loses its third triple-A
Fitch agency's announcement on July 12 that it was downgrading the country's AAA credit rating to AA+. Fitch, which after Standard & Poor's and Moody's was the last major agency to maintain France at the highest level, said the downgrade came because of sustained high debt, the spike in unemployment levels and the absence of growth. Ref. Source 4
French president declares economic emergency:
French President Francois Hollande pledged Monday to redefine France's business model and declared what he called "A state of economic and social emergency," unveiling a 2-billion-euro ($2.2 billion) plan to revive hiring and catch up with a fast-moving world economy. Ref. Source 1q.