PARIS, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- In its quarterly economic report, national statistics institute Insee confirmed 0.5 percent GDP (gross domestic product) growth in the second quarter of the year, marking an unchanged performance for three consecutive quarters.
An improved economic climate offered relief to households who spent 0.3 percent more over the period compared to 0.1 percent in first quarter. The purchasing power, the country's main growth engine, rose by six percentage points to 0.8 percent, Insee figures showed.
In the second quarter, foreign trade balance, which showed an increase of 2.4 percent in exports and a 0.3 percent growth in imports, contributed to GDP growth by 0.6 percent.
Insee figures also showed improved production in goods and services from April to June at 0.7 percent while investment decelerated to 0.9 from 1.4 percent rise in the first three months.
Insee predicts GDP in France will stand at 1.4 percent in 2017, below the government forecast of 1.7 percent.
