How France borrows on the world market to cover its debts To finance France's public debt, Agence France Trésor (AFT), an arm of the finance ministry, raises funds every Monday on the international money market. Within about 30 minutes, it can raise some 4.5 billion euros. For AFT's director-general Anthony Requin, providing economic fundamentals are in good order the state can "afford never to pay back its debt, but just roll it over". IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES