Archive for the 'opinions' Category
Having visited Angela Merkel in Berlin on Friday before meeting and Barack Obama Tuesday in Washington, George Papandreou was in Paris on Sunday to win the support of Nicolas Sarkozy in the crisis in Greece. The appointment, expected by the markets lasted an hour. "Greece can count on full support of France, has hammered the head of state, after having praised the" courage "of the Greek prime minister" who has vigorously taken steps to clean up public finances "of his country. "Greece has done what the European Union asked him to do," recalled the head of state who immediately said that "if necessary, Member States of the euro area would fill too commitments they have made. "In other words, Europe will not let down one of its own.An "economic reality" to the president, a "political and moral obligation" for the European Union.
No recourse to IMF
For Nicolas Sarkozy, not "the future of Greece" is at stake is that of Europe. "The euro is our currency, it is our responsibility," he said, before announcing he would, with Angela Merkel and Jean-Claude Juncker – that has had the phone Monday – quickly "take specific measures "to fight against speculation on the euro, but say more. "We are ready and very determined, he has merely stated. Speculation that plays against Greece can happen in many countries if they can not afford to fight.We must not add a financial crisis to economic crisis itself created by financial excesses across the Atlantic. "
For his part, George Papandreou thanked his "friend" Nicolas Sarkozy for his "commitment and support staff" to help his country out of crisis. "If the speculative attacks against Greece continues, it will not be a Greek problem, but an attack against Europe and the euro," confirmed the Greek Prime Minister, who preferred a "European solution" to a possible appeal International Monetary Fund (IMF). "We do not loan to other countries in the euro area," said George Papandreou. We just want to borrow at rates similar, not identical, to other countries in the euro area.We're just asking a fair treatment. "Greece, which on Thursday lifted 5 billion market, will pay 750 million euros of interest than Germany for a loan of similar amount. "This is not viable, late Greek Prime Minister. This is not competitive. "
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It is a Mexican entrepreneur, owner of a chain of hotels in Cancun, which offers a Hublot watch at 700,000 euros. It is a couple of Singaporeans looking for a pied-à-terre in Paris, which is close to 10 million euros on the table for a 400 square meters overlooking the Seine. Or a Parisian lawyer who finally cracked in the Porsche 911 … The dreams of luxury customers are return guaranteed payday loans . After an abrupt end after the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers followed by a year to land, rich of the planet reflected their platinum cards without false shame. The distribution in these days of record bonuses in finance in New York, London or Paris will only encourage fever after a year of dieting.
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The euro fell on Thursday to its lowest level since June 22, 2009. This morning, the euro was worth 1.3827 U.S. dollar before recovering to 1.3834 dollar. The single European currency also retreated against the yen at 125.70 yen.
This drop is explained in particular by the concern of traders due to budgetary problems of many countries in the euro area. Many expect a strong intervention of Europe and even appealed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help Greece to get out of a budget crisis without precedent.
Another concern is about the euro on the currency market, the case of Spain, which has poorly digested crisis including an unemployment rate of nearly 20%.Besides Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF head, spoke Thursday on RTL crisis "very strong in Spain and that the country had" an effort "to reduce public deficits one hour payday loan . The Spanish public debt has soared just over 60% of GDP in 2010 while in 2007 it accounted for only 36.2% of GDP.
Tuesday, Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize in Economics in 2008, believed that Spain was the main weakness in the euro area. To this the Spanish Minister of Economic Affairs, Elena Salgado, has responded Thursday by saying on the radio station La Cope: "The euro is a very strong and we continue to strengthen the currency.I see absolutely no risk for the euro area, "adding," there may be a lack of understanding about what the euro means for our economy. "
Another country in the euro area is also starting to worry, Portugal, again because of deteriorating public finances of the country. Besides the titles of Portuguese banks fell by 5 to 6% Thursday on the Lisbon Stock Exchange.
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He took his time. But the New York jury delivered its verdict on Friday evening the group of telecommunications and media company Vivendi sued by shareholders ruined by its near-collapse in 2002, was convicted of misleading communication. Its CEO at the time, Jean-Marie Messier, has instead been milled.
As expected, Vivendi's lawyer Paul Saunders immediately announced he would appeal, and that he intended to "win". "We are satisfied that the damage is half of what the plaintiffs claimed this side there is a partial victory," said the lawyer. The plaintiff had estimated that damages could rise to 11.5 billion dollars.
Messier absent when the verdict
Jean-Marie Messier and Guillaume Hannezo, its chief financial officer, were absent when the verdict.They have yet to appear in magistrate in Paris in the spring, with five other executives of Vivendi, including responding to charges of disseminating false or misleading information, price manipulation and abuse of social goods, which they could worth up to 5 years imprisonment and heavy fines for bad credit payday advance .
After three months of trial, the nine board members of the Federal Court had to decide on 57 points very technical. After answering a series of questions establishing the guilt of the accused or not, they have, for each trading day occurring between October 2000 and August 2002, "determine the amount of inflation being caused by the fraud alleged" .
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Patrick Devedjian is satisfied. The Minister responsible for the Renewal announced Tuesday in a statement that the device scrapping bonus launched by the government in a period of turbulence in the automotive sector, has affected 600,000 new vehicles purchased in 2009, one quarter of 2.268 million cars sold in the year. In November last year already, Patrick Devedjian had advanced this figure, convinced that 220,000 premium originally budgeted by the government would be largely exceeded.
The minister welcomed a device that he says has helped make 2009 the best year since 1990 "in terms of number of new registrations, the latter have actually jumped from 10.7% a year.To the Minister of Recovery, that premium has to save between 24,000 and 33,000 jobs in the automotive industry.
The French builders big winners
The scrapping bonus has mainly benefited the smaller vehicles that consume less fuel than the others. What are the French manufacturers, entrenched in this segment are the big winners of the device. They account for nearly 60% of premiums distributed.
Citroën and 122,618 vehicles passed through the scrap bonus, closely followed by Renault (115 business card .311) And Peugeot (101,516). Dacia Group Renault (32,344) and Ford (30,908) lagged far behind, according to figures provided by the department.
Manage post premium
"The scrapping bonus has achieved all its objectives in 2009, welcomed the minister. But it said that the hardest part is yet to come.He will now have to "deal effectively" lower the amount of the premium, which began in 2010. Since 1 January, the premium case is indeed back 1,000 euros to 700 euros. It should gradually decline in the rest of the year to 500 euros on 1 July.
But manufacturers are not yet ready to release the magnet to customers. To mitigate the cuts, nearly all manufacturers provided discounts. Renault has announced it will add 300 euros compensation until the end of February. Citroën offers 700 euro for cars over 10 years and 1,500 euros for those aged 8 to 10 years.Peugeot offers even in the context of his "very, very nice business, doubling the amount of the premium for the current increase to 1,400 euros.
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Five-star hotels in France? Yes, it is possible since the introduction in June by the government, a new classification. The list already has sixty places, especially in Paris, Courchevel and the Cote d'Azur. For hotels, a small revolution is underway. Their institutions were previously rated by criteria that had not changed since 1986 and they did not understand that the fifth star has long existed abroad. The world record is held even by a hotel worthy of megalomania, the Atlantis Palm in Dubai, which displays seven stars!
"In Portugal, there are 6 star hotels which are no better than our 4-star, said Georges Panayotis, founder of research firm and consultancy MKG.And even for congresses, the French destinations were penalized with no five-star hotels for VIPs. "
According to Hervé Novelli, Secretary of State for Tourism, some 200 hotels could eventually claim win five stars, including 30 to 40 with an additional distinction reserved for best of the best, the "palaces".
But the goal that the government had set, finished 2009 with a hundred five-star hotels will be missed. "The application process was somewhat longer than expected. But the candidates are there, "he defends one in the entourage of the Minister where there promised that the establishment of a new procedure will go faster next year.
"It's not very complicated to have the fifth star, half of the 750 four-star hotels can claim without doing much work, yet adds Georges Panayotis.But with the crisis, many are reluctant to ask. Applicants were fewer than expected. Be a candidate takes time and money. Vis-à-vis a business clientele, this is not the time to raise prices and display an image of luxury. Some employees have instructions from their companies do not reside in five star hotels. "
Then there are the unsuccessful applicants. Reportedly, about 15% of cases were retoques.Among the mandatory criteria, which require the most hoteliers questioned: the size of rooms, room service 24 hours on 24 or even the use of two languages by staff, including English.
A bid of 70 000 €
In the district of Saint-Germain-des-Pres in Paris, the Hotel Bel Ami (four stars) was in the starting blocks in the month of June to submit an application. He has still not done, but considering the first quarter of 2010. "Other priorities have taken over as the work of redecorating in a few rooms," says Vincent Tissier, Director General. But we remain candidates, while some of our competitors are reluctant because of the economy. "To comply with the new schedule, he has already made investments. He equipped the rooms with a service and an extra chair.It also increased the number of electrical outlets, bought lamps and roof rack. "For us it is an application to € 70 000," says Vincent Tissier.
The hotel part with a disability are 15 rooms for less than 24 square meters, the minimum area required. "We do not fulfill all mandatory criteria, but we have our chances because we can compensate this problem by gaining points optional," says its director. In Bel Ami, there is indeed "a spa, meeting rooms, a hall larger than the minimum required, a team of janitors, many more points for the fifth star. Whatever happens, Vincent Tissier is serene: "For teams, it would be a satisfaction. The U.S. travel agencies are also susceptible.But the provision of Bel Ami and its price will not change. "
Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, the Fouquet's Barrière was among the first to win his fifth star in June For this, he installed air conditioning and WiFi in the restaurant Fouquet's classified and bought 27 blankets. The hotel was rated four-star luxury since its opening in October 2006. "As we were the last to arrive on the market, we wanted to be the first to have five-star hotel with a very good note," said Eric Boonstoppel, general manager of the Hotel Fouquet's Barrière. We have lost a few points marginalized because, for example, the telephone line is directly in the room on request. Vis-à-vis our international customers, visibility and legibility are important. But we do not mean increased prices.If the government wants to create a category "Premium" We are ready! "
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The consumption of manufactured goods rose more households in November. After an increase of 2.3% in September and 1% in October, the index has shown quasi-stable -0, 1%, according to figures from INSEE.
Despite this slowdown, "the last quarter will be exceptional," states Dominique Barbet, economist at BNP Paribas. "Already, we can build on 2.3% growth in consumption from October to December, the biggest increase in ten years."
The November figure was supported by strong buying automobiles rose 4.2%. "The household benefit last months of premium breaks down before his scheduled first next January, said Insee.
"Contrary to what one might fear, the car sales have not cannibalized other items of household expenditure," says economist of BNP Paribas.Other sectors, they fell for some, have not fallen sharply.
Spending on equipment housing is growing even if they slow down to 0.2%, against 2.1% in October. "If they keep their spending in electrical and electronic, are households have reduced their spending on furniture," said INSEE.
However, the week of floating balances authorized in November did not save the textiles and leather. Purchases fell 1.8% in November, two months after dynamic (+2.4% in October and 3% in September). Probably because of mild weather that has not prompted the French to equip themselves for the winter.
Limited impact of unemployment
In 2009, INSEE expects a limited increase in consumption of 0.7%, after 0.9% in 2008."Unemployment has not been in France very negative impact on consumption, unlike what happened in other European countries, thanks to measures directed at low income," notes Dominique Barbet.
Consumption is the traditional engine of French growth and growing at a rate of 2 to 2.5% until 2007.
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The staff of Leica range in France climbs in France. No more view on the device and Gennevilliers. The teams of the prestigious manufacturer of optics and cameras, whose headquarters was located in the suburbs of Paris for 25 years, have won the exchange. Now they literally dive on Lake Annecy in Savoy, where an old factory has been refurbished to accommodate the fifteen employees at headquarters. "We carry nearly a quarter of our turnover in optics, said Stéphane Manara, the manager of Leica Camera Western Europe.It was difficult to offer our customers to try before you buy if we gave a large surface on the device.
The lucky few who spend an average of 5500 euros for a box and from 2,000 to 8,000 euros for the optical can now follow short training courses in outdoor seat in the new Alpine Leica 350m2 terrace where they are dedicated.
Another major innovation for the brand fetish Cartier Bresson: a shop owned outright by the company was opened in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, Rue de la Pompe. Others have also opened in London, Tokyo and Moscow. Until then, the brand had on reseller partners. But leaders of the German company wanted to better control their distribution.Especially in recent months, the manufacturer has launched several new digital cameras aimed at different audiences: The S2 for professionals, the X1, a compact for a wider audience and the M9, the first 24X36 trademark. Not forgetting his first monocular pocket for hikers
President of Leica Acting, Andreas Kaufmann, the representative of the family owns a small cottage industry, announced in 2008 the deployment of a twenty Leica shops in the world and "shopping shops" nestled in large signs. Since last spring, Andreas Kaufmann has passed the torch to Rudolf Spiller, the new CEO of Leica, Zeiss former. The latter must take Leica red where it fell this year. Indeed, the group posted a net loss of 4.8 milion euros (against a profit of 3 million) for a turnover of 134.2 million.
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Five billion euros under the Christmas tree. This is the estimate by the Federation of e-commerce and distance selling (Fevad) for the raw end of year 2009 online sales. This represents an increase of 25% over the same period last year, a pace in line with that of the growth in the first nine months of this year (27%). These figures confirm a healthy e-commerce that does not suffer from the downturn.
If retailing is experiencing a decline of 2.5% of its business between January and September by the Bank of France, users keep themselves, morale and fever spendthrift. 88% of those who have already bought on the Internet for last Christmas even say they intend to spend as much or more this year, according Médiamétire.Among the preferred gifts, there are cultural products, games and toys, hi-tech, apparel, equipment for home and beauty products. According to GfK, the share of sales on the Internet for consumer electronics will reach 12% (against 6.6% in 2006) and the cultural products of the total 7.2% (against 4.6% in 2006).
Overall, electronic commerce should weigh around 25 billion euros in turnover this year. In comparison to 18.5 billion euros earned last year by supermarkets and hypermarkets in France Casino or 42 billion for Carrefour.Another point of comparison, sales of high-tech and Internet cultural approach of 3 billion euros this year, compared to 4.5 billion in sales of Fnac last year.
23 million buyers
The health sector due to the rapid development of habits. "We still have new customers because France is still playing catch up in equipment for homes, said Marc Lolivier, general delegate of the Fevad. Meanwhile, the number of commercial sites is growing rapidly, with two new every hour. "Overall, we approach the 60 000 sites of e-commerce assets. For "pure players" in the first hour followed by "order preparers' successor is currently a third wave of actors composed of large store chains that go into high gear on the Web.But even at constant perimeter, sales are up 6% in one year. The France now has 23 million online consumers, up from 43% in three years. Nearly seven in ten users have bought online. The trip, the high-tech and culture are the three main areas of e-commerce, joined forces in more recent fashion, household equipment and cosmetics.
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