France's Hollande speeds launch of state investment bank

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France's Hollande speeds launch of state investment bank



French President Francois Hollande delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the 66th anniversary of the Liberation of ParisCHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE, France (Reuters) - France will launch a public investment bank within days to help cash-strapped companies obtain financing, President Francois Hollande said on Friday, bringing forward the date as his government speeds up efforts to fight a downturn. The bank, originally due to be launched in January of next year, is designed to support small- and medium-sized firms which are struggling to obtain financing from private lenders amid tight credit conditions. "A public investment bank will be created in the coming days," Hollande told journalists in north-eastern France. ...









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