Chinanews.com, Paris, January 3 (Xinhua) According to French media reports on the 3rd, more and more bakeries in France are facing an increasingly serious business crisis, mainly due to rising costs of flour, butter, sugar, etc., as well as a sharp increase in electricity bills.

French officials decided to provide the necessary assistance to help the bakery survive the crisis.

  According to Agence France-Presse and other media reports, in addition to facing rising cost prices, bakeries are now facing a sharp rise in electricity bills.

The owner of a bakery in eastern France revealed that his shop's electricity bill has risen from 400 euros a month to nearly 1,500 euros.

Due to the high electricity bills, some shops have become unsustainable.

  French officials revealed on the 3rd the assistance measures for bakeries.

French Prime Minister Borne said on the same day that bakeries experiencing financial difficulties can apply for a delay in paying taxes.

French Economy and Finance Minister Le Maire held a meeting with representatives of bakers on the same day to study countermeasures and announced relevant measures after the meeting.

  Le Maire stressed that the state supports the bakers and will not let them down.

He said bakeries facing financial difficulties late last year could seek financial assistance from the government.

He also revealed that the bakery could reduce electricity costs by 40 per cent, but regretted that the energy supplier had "failed to keep its promise".

(use up)