Paris (AFP)
On the eve of the reopening of terraces and shops, the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, on Tuesday promised "strong growth" in 2021 and a "gradual" return of "the French art of living" .
"The French economy will recover," assured Bruno Le Maire during a visit to a Parisian restaurateur.
"We will return to the pre-crisis level of activity in the first half or even the first quarter of 2022".
In the long term, the Minister is counting on "a gradual return to normal life, of these moments of conviviality, of our art of living."
The reopening of terraces, bars and restaurants is according to him "a symbol, a fundamental step" for a resumption of activity.
"It is a moment of joy for all of us" which must be "a collective success" he added.
Visiting the bar-restaurant "Le Départ" on Place Saint-Michel, a stone's throw from Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Bruno Le Maire was challenged by traders on the importance of the return of foreign tourists.
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After having said that he wanted the activity to "restart strongly", one of the bartenders replied "we must bring back the tourists!"
"On tourism, I do not know what will be the rules of the United States, China or Japan" he replied during a tour de table, ensuring that the French will be there for "participate in the recovery through consumption".
And he promised "an appointment clause at the end of August" to take stock of aid for traders in tourist areas.
"A loan must be repaid", however, reminded the former member of the Eure to a trader who questioned him about the possibility of canceling the debt of certain companies which would struggle to repay their PGE (loan guaranteed by the State) , recognizing that there could be "full or partial" cancellations in exceptional cases.
© 2021 AFP