LONDON - FRANCE is four months ahead of other European countries with its economic recovery plan, the minister in charge of implementing its 26 billion euro (S$52 billion) fiscal stimulus told the Financial Times.

Mr Patrick Devedjian said three quarters of the stimulus would be spent in 2009, and 10 billion euros had already been disbursed.

'In terms of our recovery plan, we're four months ahead of other countries in Europe,' the newspaper quoted him as saying in its Monday edition.

'I know this because I have discussed it with the other European ministers. They have told me of the problems they face.

They are behind because they cannot mobilise fast enough.' Mr Devedjian said France had managed to speed ahead because its centralised system allowed the government to mobilise resources more quickly.

He also singled out Britain for focusing on consumption, rather than investment, in its recovery plan.

'If you look at the results of the attempt to boost consumption in the UK - the VAT cut - it has not given results so far,' the newspaper quoted him as saying.

'... My advice for (Prime Minister) Gordon Brown would be: investment. More investment.' -- THOMSON REUTERS