PARIS: The French economy should grow by more than 1.0 percent in 2010, rather than the 0.75 percent that is currently projected, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Tuesday.

"The worst of the (economic) crisis has passed," he told RTL radio. "We have not been in recession since the second quarter of 2009.

"The forecast that I have for 2010 is said by economists to be too cautious and growth will likely be more than 1.0 percent."

The French economy, after suffering four straight quarters of negative growth, managed to expand 0.3 percent in the second quarter this year.

The government has forecast growth of 0.75 percent in 2010 after an expected minus 2.25 percent this year.