Jobs boost show increased confidence in France

“It’s an excellent result - it’s proof that economic confidence has returned in France,” Le Maire told reporters in Brussels referring to the jobs market.

Having inherited the first economic tailwind in a decade when he became president last year, Emmanuel Macron is pushing ahead with an ambitious reform agenda. His government’s effort to overhaul the labour market and lower taxation are also playing a part by supporting business confidence and investment, which in turn impacts jobs.

France’s unemployment rate fell below 9% at the end of last year and data published on Tuesday showed that private sector payrolls increased 0.4% in the final quarter of 2017.

Le Maire highlighted the industrial sector:

“It’s proof that the French industry has a future and that the French can be proud of the industrial sector, which is a capable sector with exceptional technologies, know-how and competencies.”

Le Maire said the government would continue to work on the sector’s economic transformation.