French foreign minister takes on trade, overseas growth, in expanded role

PARIS (Reuters) - French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who has stood out in an otherwise unpopular government for his firm handling of international crises, is to take on responsibility for improving the country's weak trade performance, diplomatic sources said.

In a cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, Fabius has been handed the task of reducing the trade deficit and developing external business as part of an expanded portfolio to boost growth opportunities overseas, the sources told Reuters.