France is one of Europe’s major importers and exporters with a wide range of items. France’s trading power makes it one of the top three largest traders in the European Union. French GDP reached at US$2.2 Trillions in 2006, with an annual growth rate of 2%. Growth rate of GDP has declined to 1.2 % in 2005 from 4 % in 2000. France is a member of the G8 countries, and is ranked fifth or sixth economy in the world by nominal GDP. France launched the euro in 1999 with its national currency being replaced completely by the beginning of 2002.
France is best known for its French Cosmetics, French Cheese, and wheat. In fact, French agriculture accounts for around 25% of the total agricultural products of the European Union. This percentage can also be accounted for by the use of modern technology, EU subsidies, large areas of fertile land and good climate. However, agriculture contributes to the country’s GDP with only 2.5%. Nonetheless, the French government provides subsidies so that the agricultural sector continues to expand and increase its contribution to the GDP. This is also aimed at increasing exports.
As far as exports are concerned, the most important trading partners of France are UK, Germany, Spain and Italy. One of the most significant contributors to the national economy of France is the manufacturing industry with almost 27% to GDP. Also, France is the only European country except Russia and Sweden to own its national spaceport along with an important aerospace industry which promotes the French Aircraft. Regarding imports, they consist primarily of cars and vehicles, aircraft, machinery, plastics and chemicals. These items are mostly imported from Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, UK, US and the Netherlands. As far as its balance of trade, it is interesting to note that in 2005, France imported goods worth US$471.36 billion and the exported goods worth US$439.22 billion.
It was on the mid seventeenth century when France was one of the major importers that imports foreign produced cloths. Though France's textile industry had rapidly grown, there has been a great competition where in goods in Italy and in the Far East were popular in producing cloths as well.
Then, that was the time when King Louis XIV established new laws that were designed to lessen foreign yard goods imports and to promote silk industry of France by improving the quality of goods produced. In this case it will increase French Textiles export. The laws that were established by King Louis XIV were designed to improve and regulate the quality of French Fabric and silks. Regulations framed by the people related to the technical aspects of silk production. They quantified the exact fiber content, the permitted number of errors in the course of a production run and also the number of threads in a warp or a weft.. Furthermore, these new regulations made an industry division from various regions in France.
French style is always to follow the trends worldwide in fashion and design, but if you really want to know what the newest styles and ideas are, you should track the developments in Paris. The French are always fashion forward, and Paris is the fashion capital of the world, whether you are talking about French Clothing or furniture. To be in the know and ahead of the general public, you have to follow the market in France. One of the more popular trends in French Bedroom Furniture right now is to install a mini bar in the bedroom, complete with all the accessories and barstools.
While you can find some ultramodern styles in metal, most French people prefer wood bar stools for their bar, as it looks more elegant, is sturdier, and often matches the rest of their bedroom better. Interestingly, it is often also cheaper, despite its superior quality to most of the metal products on the market. Of course, this is all based on personal taste, and even in France, many will look to be different from the crowd or seek out that perfect metal setup that is trustworthy and high quality design.
