France's Lagarde says Q3 GDP growth to equal or exceed Q2

Published: 29 Oct 2009 22:58:23 PST

HONG KONG, Oct 30 - France's gross domestic product (GDP) should grow as much or more in the third quarter than it did in the second, French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said during a visit to Hong Kong on Friday.

The French economy emerged from recession in the second quarter, growing 0.3 percent.

Lagarde, in Hong Kong at the end of a trip to China, added that it was China's decision on the valuation of its currency, the yuan <CNY=CFXS>. Many Western governments believe Beijing deliberately undervalues the currency, giving it an unfair trade advantage.