A panel created by President Francois Hollande to cut red tape for French business announced 50 measures on Monday aimed at saving billions of euros a year, as his government seeks to revive a struggling economy, reports Reuters.
The measures will untangle a thicket of rules - including, for example, a requirement that bakers inform local police of their holiday plans - which are seen as preventing small and big business from flourishing in France.
The so-called "simplification blitz" is part of Hollande's wider moves to cut payroll charges on French companies by 30 billion euros ($42 billion) during his mandate. Corporate tax cuts were announced earlier this month.
"We've revved up the simplification machine and it's going to run for the next three years," said Thierry Mandon, a Socialist lawmaker who co-authored the list of proposals. "This policy aims to save our companies time and money by cutting administrative costs that are excessive or useless."
French corporate margins are the lowest in the euro zone. Hollande, who is fighting to bring joblessness down from above 10 percent, hopes the measures will stimulate hiring by saving companies billions of euros (dollars), following similar initiatives in Britain and Germany.
Read more of this report from Reuters.