France to meet 2010 growth target despite strikes
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French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said Tuesday major strikes over pension reforms would not change the country's economic growth outlook.
"I do not deny that we've had several days where there has definitely been an economic impact, but I don't think it will change our growth forecast for the full year," Lagarde told France's Radio Classique.
"I welcome the gradual return to the normal situation so that companies are set to run and I hope the effect will be minor," she said.
France wants to accelerate growth to 2 percent next year from an expected 1.5 percent in 2010. Gross domestic product (GDP) is set to expand to 2.5 percent by 2014.
"There is no winner, no loser in this case. What is very important is assuming responsibility and realize that the economy needs to turn," Lagarde said.
Lagarde estimated the cost of the strikes at between 200 and 400 million euros (279-557.9 million U.S. dollars) a day.
The long-running protests' impact is likely to ease as blockades at several refineries were lifted. In the southern port city of Marseille, garbage collectors ended a two-week strike and public transport was back to nearly normal.
"Joining the discussion table, talking about youth employment, about the employment of older workers and examining the underlying problems which create a real anxiety among youth and seniors, this is really a turning point and I think it's a very good thing," the minister said.
