French Finance Minister Thierry Breton announced in Paris Wednesday that the French economy should increase 0.6 percent in the first quarter of 2006 and between 2.0 and 2.5 percent for the full year.

"For 2006 we will have growth of between 2.0 and 2.5 percent," he told the National Assembly, or the house of representatives of the French parliament.

"I can confirm that in the first quarter ... we are expecting growth of 0.6 percent," he added.

Economists foresee a growth of 1.9 percent for 2006.

French statistics office Insee is to release Thursday its forecast on jobless rate for the first quarter of the year.

The French central bank, Bank of France, predicts in its monthly inquiry published on March 14 that France's gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter 2006 would be 0.6 percent.

Breton also said that 142,000 jobs had been created in 2005 and his ministry expected another 200,000 new posts in 2006.

"The growth engine has been started up again, the confidence returns too," said the minister. He hailed the record of household consumption in manufactured products in February, which grew 1.8 percent growth compared with January while salaries rose 2.9 percent, the highest in 13 years.

Source: Xinhua