Paris, March 15 (Bloomberg) -- France's trade surplus more than tripled in January as exports posted their biggest gain since August, suggesting foreign demand will help the economy recover from a slump. The surplus swelled to 1.305 billion euros ($1.15 billion) from a revised surplus of 414 million euros in December, the government said. Exports increased 6.6 percent from a two-year low reached the previous month to 26.192 billion euros, while imports also rebounded from a two-year low, rising 3 percent to 24.157 billion euros. ``This is a healthy surplus, in line with a progressive economic recovery,'' said Marc Touati, chief economist with Natexis Banques Populaires SA. Europe's third-largest economy, which contracted for the first time in five years in the fourth quarter, is expected to pick-up in coming months as exports recover. The U.S., destination for almost a fifth of the exports from the dozen nations sharing the euro, is pulling out of recession. That's making executives in France more confident about a revival. The past month has seen a pick-up in the corporate market, Charles Edelstenne, Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation SA, a maker of business and fighter jets, said last week. French industrial production rose for the second time in three months in January, sending manufacturing confidence to a four-month high last month. The economy, which shrank 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter 2001, will probably expand 0.2 percent this quarter and 0.5 percent in the next three months, the Bank of France said in its latest monthly survey.

Airbus Sales
Airbus SAS, France's third-largest exporter, sold eight planes in January, boosting exports by 576 million euros, today's report shows. The 15 planes sold by Airbus in December were worth 831 million euros. While Airbus is owned by French, British, German and Spanish shareholders, the company's orders are included in France's export figures. Payments received by Airbus' non- French partners are reflected in their current-account figures.