French trade deficit narrows in February

PARIS: France's trade deficit narrowed in February as exports, lifted by deliveries of ships and sales of electricity, expanded faster than imports, data from the customs office showed on Friday.

The country recorded a trade deficit of 4 billion euros  ($4.49 billion) in February compared with a shortfall of 4.2 billion euros in January.

Exports during February rose 0.9 percent to 42.9 billion euros, boosted by deliveries of ships and boats while airplanes sales declined.

Imports during the month rose a slower 0.4 percent to 46.9 billion euros as energy imports were dragged down by fewer purchases of crude oil and lower gas prices.

Separately, the French central bank said the current account showed a deficit of 800 million euros in February. The bank revised the January reading to a 300 million euros surplus from a previous 900 million euros surplus.