France's economy grew by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of the year, defying forecasts of zero growth, dpa cited the national statistics agency INSEE as saying Thursday. INSEE had been expecting no growth in the third quarter. The slight expansion contrasts with a contraction in the second quarter of 0.1 per cent and a stagnant first quarter. The government expects the economy to grow at an annualised rate of 0.3 per cent in 2012.
