While campaigning for the presidency, Emmanuel Macron said he would set up a 10 billion euro ($10.5 billion) fund to promote industrial and research projects, to be financed by selling down shares in companies in which the state owns a minority stake and by dividends from state-owned shares.

Reaffirming that pledge, Le Maire said in a speech in Paris promoting business opportunities: "We will make 10 billion euros available to finance innovation.

"...I will announce in the coming months significant stake sales in public companies that would enable the taxpayer to see its money is being spent on the future and not the past."

Le Maire did not identify the firms.

Analysts say the state could reduce its 5.7 percent stake in construction company Eiffage (>> Eiffage), its 28.65 percent in gas utility Engie (>> Engie), its 50.63 percent in airport operator ADP (>> Aéroports de Paris) or its 23.05 percent in telecom operator Orange (>> Orange).

($1 = 0.8822 euros)

(Reporting by Myriam Rivet; Writing by John Irish; editing by John Stonestreet)

Stocks treated in this article : Eiffage, Orange, Engie, Aéroports de Paris