This does not preclude that there are threats

Trade figures are encouraging or even reflect global slump

The first-half results reflect the situation of the world economy: IMF and WTO forecasts announce a decline of 10 to 12 of the international trade agenda this year. The decline in exports is comparable to what have been the main European exporters. And, if our imports dropped less strongly, I see an encouraging sign: This shows that the France is better to the crisis than its neighbours. In addition, our exports stabilized over the past months. I want to say that the storm seems to be behind us. But I'm not yet to announce the return of good weather and we remain fully mobilised.

End of may, the annual deficit exceeded EUR 54 billion. The Government was in the spring on a negative balance of 46 billion. What will be-t-onle estimate nearest to end of 2009

We will update our predictions at school, at the presentation of the Finance Bill. On the first half, the trade balance should improve slightly compared to the previous half. For the rest of the year, we have more of the effects of the decline in oil prices. The only certainty is that the world situation now seems to be less negative than it was end of 2008. Stimulus plans announced by our partners should begin to feel their effects in the coming months.

The able-elleà France maintain its worldwide market share And can take advantage of the game this

This is the real issue. Since 2000, the Germany has managed to maintain its market share, despite the emergence of China. This is not the case for the France: we have gone under 4 at the global level, and the Italy joined US. If, as I hope, the storm is behind us, the future will come to the most reactive. Must therefore be ready to resume and to position themselves in growth as sectors for example, the eco-industries. This is why I think that the top priority is innovation. An innovative company has ten times more likely to export than another. Need to strengthen the own funds of enterprises and help them to grow and innovate, as we did with the reform of the research tax credit, a measure welcomed by all foreign observers. Last reform that I announced enables midsize businesses to benefit from the insurance-prospecting managed by Coface. Innovation and development of the ETI is the winning cocktail to export. This is what the Germans and Italians.

The crisis promotes the resurgence of protectionist reflexes. The Algeria, first market of the France in Africa, just take a series of measures to limit its imports. This worried about it

At the global level, protectionism seems under control. All world leaders, including in emerging countries, say that they do not want. This does not preclude that there are threats. We are particularly attentive to the measures that support local businesses in stimulus. The France will ensure that the European Commission committed, if necessary, the procedures in the WTO. In the case of the Algeria, French companies are concerned about the degradation of the framework of business and the recent measures. We relayed this feeling to the Algerian authorities, emphasizing the need to maintain an attractive framework for foreign investment. We hope to have agreed on some points, but all is not settled.

In recent years, the number of French exporters decreased. It was less than 100,000 in 2008. Do you still see a decline

What I can tell you is that devices implemented by the State to help companies explore new markets operate at full. Since early 2009, the Ubifrance Agency took 30 of companies abroad. And, through agreements concluded with partners such as chambers of commerce and industry, some potential exporters new 1,500 have been identified.