International News

The general crisis of confidence in the financial system can benefit the socially responsible investment (SRI), this offer of investment products which, in the traditional financial measures, add the dimensions called ESG (environmental, social / societal, governance) ? At first glance, yes. Assets invested in SRI in France have soared in recent years. End of 2010, they reached 68.3 billion euros, against 50.7 billion in late 2009, an increase of 35%. And the year 2011 looks very good. According Novethic, a subsidiary of Caisse des Dépôts, which publishes research and analysis on the SRI market since 2001, these assets had already reached 47 billion euros at the end of June.

Small flat, struggling to win these investments from individuals.Institutional clients (pension and insurance plans, public pension funds, private insurance companies, mutual companies, etc..) Still accounted for 70% of SRI assets in late 2010. A study conducted by Ipsos agency for non-financial rating Eiris * 60% of French investors, however, now give prominence to environmental, social and ethical issues in their investment decisions. But 64% of respondents have never heard of SRI, and only 9% are on the page.

Latent demand unsatisfied

"There is a latent demand unmet in a number of individual investors now significant," says Marion de Marcillac, responsible for developing the French office of EIRIS.This view is shared Bertrand Fournier, president of the Forum for Responsible Investment (FIR): "The offer is not visible and distribution networks do not talk about SRI." For Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Minister Ecology and Sustainable Development, however, the context is conducive to flight. "SRI is probably an answer to the financial and banking crisis we are experiencing," said the minister during the presentation of the study, on October 6. "Reconnect citizens with finance is a vast undertaking, which requires industrial issues to reconnect with the financial issues and give concrete meaning to financial products," she said.

Therefore Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet calls to market players, foremost among banks and insurers, to commit themselves to "promote a responsible offer of financial investments."She stressed the need to provide transparent information to individuals, especially as the multiplicity of approaches to SRI in Europe scrambles some tracks. In France, the multi-criteria approach called "Best in Class" prevails. This is to select the best companies in each sector according to the famous ESG. Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians, in turn, prefer a strategy of exclusion. In this case, certain industries such as armaments or tobacco, are simply discarded SRI funds.

The French approach in question

According to EIRIS survey, 36% of French investors said they were very tempted by an approach that would exclude certain companies because of the nature of their activities or practices such as child labor. Only 19% of respondents say they are, however, very tempted by the method of "Best in Class".Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, "no subject is taboo. The 'Week of SRI' * is an opportunity to initiate discussions, particularly on the definition of criteria for responsible investing. "

* Survey conducted among a sample of 1040 French adults aged 16-64 years from 16 to 19 September 2011.

* The second edition of the "Week of the Socially Responsible Investment" will run from October 10 to 16, under the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development.

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The contours of the nationalization of Dexia emerge. When Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel discussed the rescue of banks in the euro area in Berlin, Prime Minister François Fillon, his counterpart Yves Leterme and representatives of Luxembourg have them addressed this issue in a summit to looks like a marathon. And this morning, after a council of ministers, Belgium has decided to take control of 100% of Dexia Bank Belgium, the Belgian entity of the institution present in retail banking, with an investment of 4 billion euros. A price at the bottom of the valuation range expected by shareholders, who were betting on an amount of between 3 and 7.5 billion euros. The Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders believes that this amount is "reasonable."Belgium intends to remain for several years proprietor of the bank in order to "continuity" before the network to lean a private actor.

The board of directors supports the offer of Dexia in Brussels, saying it is part of the "social interest" group. It also ensures that the 600 employees of the Dexia holding will be reclassified to the various subsidiaries promised a recovery.

Meanwhile, states have agreed on the allocation of guarantees to make to the future "bad bank" that remain after the dismantling or the defeasance structure to isolate the assets at risk. "States have agreed to divide this guarantee in proportions similar to those of 2008 (during the rescue of Dexia), 60.5% for Belgium, 36.5% for France and 3% for Luxembourg," said the Belgian government.

For its part, the French state must create a new bank dedicated to communities, both owned by the Postal Bank and the Deposit CDC. The Board of Directors has appointed Dexia director Pierre Mariani to conduct these negotiations. His copy to a detailed plan of recovery of the industry is expected "in the coming weeks."

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Febrile atmosphere around Dexia announced the dismantling of which is to organize. On Thursday afternoon, the rating on the stock exchange was suspended at the request of the Belgian regulator: the action was losing more than 17% amid rumors that many French-Belgian bank was forced each time to confirm or to reverse. It will again be listed on Monday.

Dexia has confirmed to be entered into exclusive negotiations "with a group of international investors that the government of Luxembourg will attend" to sell its subsidiary private bank, the BIL (Banque Internationale à Luxembourg). This discussion has actually been mainly engaged with the sovereign fund of Qatar, several sources indicate.The Luxembourg Finance Minister, Luc Frieden, for his part justified the participation of the Grand Duchy as a "minority shareholder" in the name of "systemic" to his country of BIL's 12 billion euros of deposits and forty traditional bank branches.

The first assignment could be raised on Saturday by the Board of Directors of Dexia, intended, according to a close case, to "calibrate the overall strategy of the division of Dexia."

This strategy is already known in outline. This is to sell every major business or large branch. Dexia will gradually emptied of its substance and its assets down to the most difficult to sell, mainly the bond portfolio of 95 billion euros and a life of thirteen years.The State guarantee French and Belgian finance Dexia and ultimately apply to "cantonment" business card templates.

On this basis, negotiations, under pressure from the markets and financial authorities who fear a confusion between the case of Dexia and the rest of the European banking sector are extremely complex: in addition to buyers interested in a particular asset, discussion involving the management of Dexia, its shareholders and the Belgian side the French side, and the states.

Mutual distrust

However, the pattern holds only insofar as the current shareholders of Dexia are collectively responsible. The centrifugal forces exerted, especially in Belgium, must be curbed. Thursday, pushing the Belgian regions, according to local press, a scheme of demerger of the retail DBB (Dexia Bank Belgium).

Seen from France, the idea goes wrong, since the ultimate goal of the operation is that the sale of assets – DBB is a price – reported enough money to build the hive and absorb as much as possible losses that would otherwise eventually be collected by the states.

The mistrust is mutual. On the Belgian side, Prime Minister Yves Leterme has hammered yesterday that his country did not intend to be alone with Dexia on the arms. "We must continue to fund all the past, and we will not do it alone," said the Finance Minister Didier Reynders. On this side of the border, negotiations continue on the transfer of the portfolio and lending activities to local authorities in the Deposit and La Banque Postale.

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The Paris Stock Exchange began the week in the red, as at the close Friday. The CAC 40 plunges 2.28% to 2 914.30 points in mid-session. The debt crisis continues because of European concern the markets, and lead the outlook for global growth. The fear of lead and impact in China Asian stock markets are in the red Monday morning, dropping the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by almost 5%.

Elsewhere in Europe, falling 2.03% London, Frankfurt and Madrid 2.54% 2.34% 1.75% and Milan.

Greece announced Sunday night that it would lack its budget deficit targets. The second Country Assistance Plan will be on the menu for more discussion this week: Monday, finance ministers of the euro area will meet in Luxembourg to 17 pm and Tuesday, those of the entire European Union.This will then be the turn of the Franco-German Nicolas Sarkozy said he expected to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel "in the coming days in Germany" to discuss in particular "ways and means to accelerate economic integration the euro area ".

The private sector activity in the euro area at its lowest for 25 months

Also note, the new car registrations in France are divided down in September after the brief respite in August, returning to the trend observed since the disappearance of the scrapping, according to figures released Monday.They were down 1.4% unadjusted and 1.4% also comparable number of working days from September 2010 to 167,600 units, according to the Committee of French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA).

The private sector activity contracted in September in the euro area, the PMI purchasing managers' standing at 48.5 points against 50.7 in August, according to a second estimate released Monday. This is the index the lowest in 25 months, Markit said the company, which publishes the index.

In this context, oil prices have opened lower. A barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost 50 cents to 78.70 dollars in early electronic trading.A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gave up 77 cents to 101.99 dollars.

As for currencies, the euro lost ground and is worth 1.3315 dollars and 102.6 yen, against more than 104 yen in the middle of last week.

Dexia degraded by Moody's

The title of the Franco-Belgian bank collapsed Monday in the Paris Stock Exchange, after rating agency Moody's Investors Service had threatened to lower its rating, because of fears about its liquidity personal loan for poor credit. In early trading, the value lost 11.54% to 1.28 euro, after being briefly suspended for dropping too fast to open.Halfway through it limited its losses slightly receding 8.78% to 1.32 euros.

In the wake of Dexia, BNP Paribas let go just under 6% in mid-session, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale 4.9% near 6.5%.

AXA (-4.14% to 9.49 euros)

The first offers for Axa Privaty Equity (AXA PE), the division of equity sold by Axa, must be filed early next week, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Renault (-2.67% to 24.40 euros)

The group announced Saturday the construction of a new plant in Brazil and the expansion of another existing site to boost its presence in the fourth global automotive market.

France Telecom (-2.24% to 12.02 euros)

European Commissioner Neelie Kroes digital strategy is expected to announce on Monday that the EU wants to reduce the revenue that incumbents derive copper telecommunications networks to boost investment in fiber optics.

Air France-KLM (-3.28% to 5.36 euros)

Alexander Juniac could take the management of Air France in January in favor of a reorganization of the Air France KLM with Pierre-Henri Gourgeon retain the reins, according to La Tribune published on Monday.

Steria (-3.96% to 12.14 euros)

The computer services company was awarded a public contract with the French Ministry of Budget, Public Accounts, the Civil Service and State Reform, to ensure the implementation of the Information System (HRIS) to several departments that will ultimately pay more than 3 million employees of state.

Hermes (-4.23% to 216.30 euros)

The group currently finds no sign of spending restraint to its customers despite a darkening economic outlook, said Sunday the manager of the French luxury group on the fringes of Paris Fashion Week.

Carmat (18.20% to 102.82 euros)

The designer of the total artificial heart on Monday announced that preclinical data will be presented at the 25th Annual Congress of the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Lisbon on October 4.

The U.S. stock markets opened sharply higher Tuesday. The Dow Jones climbed 1.61% to 11,231 points and the Nasdaq by 1.54% to 2254 points in early trade.

Monday, Wall Street had already finished in the green.

Since the beginning of the week, investors in Europe and the United States, is won over by a wave of optimism about the outcome of the crisis of sovereign debt. "The beginning of the week is placed under the sign of hope. Investors have decided to give credit to European policy makers and international willingness to find ways to resolve the sovereign debt crisis, "economists observe in Paris broker Aurel BGC. There are "high hopes that one is engaged in the right direction towards resolving the debt crisis in Europe," say experts on their side LBBW. Other analysts, however, want to caution.The strategists of the Crédit Mutuel-CIC believe that "the improvement should not last as rumors seem exaggerated. The expansion of EFSF does not solve the structural problems in Europe, while the challenge is there. "

The spokesperson of European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn, Europe is considering strengthening the capacity of the European support fund for countries in trouble (EFSF). Rumors press also reported a proposed quadrupling of the Fund's lending capacity to 2000 billion euros. In turn, an official of the ECB, the Austrian Ewald Nowotny, did not rule out declines in interest rates in the euro area.But soon, the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble assured that Europeans had "no intention of bailing out" the EFSF.

Political leaders are still clearly divided on the responses to the debt crisis, while discussions on the payment of a new international loan to Greece, vital to enable it to avoid bankruptcy dragged on. At the same time discontent rises and Athens was again paralyzed Tuesday by a wave of strikes in public transport.

Oil opened up in New York

The euro was weakening on Tuesday to below $ 1.35. Mileu in the day, the euro stood at 1.3496 dollars, against 1.3523 dollars late Monday.He had fallen in session Monday to 1.3363 dollars, its lowest level since mid-January, prior to recover.

As for commodities, gold has recovered slightly this morning at 1640 dollars an ounce after declining over the last three sessions. Oil falls sharply higher this morning in Asian trade after having dropped more than eight dollars last week. Oil prices were moving up sharply at the opening Tuesday in New York, driven by renewed optimism for the determination of the Europeans to resolve the debt crisis in the eurozone business cards design.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery traded at 82.64 dollars, up by $ 2.40 at the close on Monday night.

On the macroeconomic front, house prices in the United States remained stable in July compared with June, according to Case-Shiller survey released Tuesday by Standard and Poor's. The study, however, that over-year, declining home prices for sale widened in July to 4.1%, down less pronounced than the analysts thought.

As for values ​​to be followed on Tuesday:

As for values, Goldman Sachs will intensify its restructuring efforts, after a disastrous third quarter, which could be one of the worst ever recorded by the U.S. investment bank since it went public 12 years ago, says the New York Times.Goldman Sachs will be 1.2 billion to $ 1.45 billion savings goal of operation by mid-2012, the paper said on its website, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.

The mysterious tablet that the online retailer Amazon.com Wednesday could present promises to be a star among the products' high-tech "of the season, even though the Seattle group has not yet revealed existence.Amazon Wednesday invited reporters to an event which he kept secret the subject, organized in a video production and music in Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.

Motorola Solutions is within the scope of an investigation by U.S. authorities, according to the Wall Street Journal, concerning a possible corruption in the course of its business in Europe.

The Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, listed on Wall Street, announced Tuesday it had increased to 49% its stake in Canada's Ivanhoe Mines, the upper limit is included in an agreement between the two groups that intend to operate an entire mine copper and gold in Mongolia.

ONEOK announced expect to achieve a net profit of between 355 and 400 million in 2012, against 325 to 345,000,000 dollars in 2011.For its part, ONEOK Partners expects a net 740 to $ 800 million for the year 2012 against 630 to 660,000,000 for the year 2011, while natural gas volumes processed are expected to increase more than expected.

Also note, Standard & Poor's is within the scope of an investigation by the SEC, the U.S. stock market regulator, who questioned its rating of an issue of structured securities in 2007 just before the market collapse real estate, announced its parent company McGraw-Hill.

"Television will become the media on which the user will find all the services he needs, including health," said Philippe Delahaye, president of Toshiba Systems France. For nearly a year and for another six months, the Japanese tests, with the support of the General Council of Bas-Rhin, a service called Demeter and home support for elderly dependents.

The system set up involves monitoring remote computer. But not to frighten the people involved, the main unit is television, connected to the Internet. "The equipment costs about 6,000 euros full, two months' rent in a nursing home," said Philip Bell, general manager of Toshiba-Cebea, a subsidiary of Toshiba dedicated services.This includes television and home automation equipment, including a smoke detector, a wristband alarm in case of fall and appliances suitable for pathology (blood pressure, diabetes control …). Then, the service costs 200 euros per month, including Internet access.

"This allows medical personnel to perform remote controls, but also the patient to easily get in touch with family members through a videoconferencing system on the TV," said Philip Bell. Medical staff and the senior may also contact by mail, through an electronic pen. Just write on a single sheet, the text is automatically entered and the e-mail sent when the pen is rested on its base low interest rate personal loans. Forms to the attention of nurses and doctors have also been developed: just check the right boxes with the electronic pen and they are added to the medical record.It also allows for monitoring of medication, food … "We found that health staff was not comfortable with a keyboard, where the idea of ​​electronic pen, said Philip Bell . We are also working to develop a speech recognition system. "

Recurring revenues

For Toshiba, the objective is to develop this service at the national level but also in other countries. Japan pays attention to the experience of Alsace. Beyond the societal issues related to aging, a new economic model that is emerging. This type of service should allow the manufacturer to generate recurring revenue through subscriptions.

"The rise of the TV connected through the development of local services," added Philippe Delahaye.Most TVs sold today by Toshiba can be connected to the Internet, or consumers do not always use this function. By bringing seniors to the technology, Toshiba is not only the population but also those around them: Health care workers, children and grandchildren.

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Football, video games, magazines, sofas on which to lie down to watch football matches, all swallowing hot dogs and chips at will. The best place of all men … at least according to Ikea. It was at Sydney in the local store's Swedish distributor, that this "Mansland" was born. The logic is the same as for "Smaland" space for day care children present in all the Ikea stores around the world.

Already cleared of toddlers, women will finally be totally alone to shop. Only problem: after half an hour of bliss, a buzzer reminds the ladies half their existence, if they would have already forgotten. Mr. Mrs. So join to challenge his choice of linens, glass and lighting … and why not to pay at checkout.

No planned deployment in France

This solution to rally the spouses who shun Ikea citing another "Stockholm Syndrome" (birthplace of the group) is currently an isolated initiative. The operation took place over four days on the occasion of Father's Day in Australia. "A deployment of this kind of space for men is not in French stores," says Are there Ikea France. The French will have to still support their husbands and vice versa!

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Diversify its funding sources to reduce dependence on banks: this is the objective of local government, at a time when bank credit is becoming scarcer. Tuesday, associations of elected officials have announced the creation of "a funding agency of local investment," the model of what is happening in Northern Europe. This vehicle will issue bonds on financial markets. It then lends to local authorities, medium and long term. To access these loans, municipalities, counties and regions in question will make a capital contribution to the agency. In a way, it is to launch "Eurobonds" across local authorities – even if the project was launched in 2009, before the debates which agitate Europe on the financing of its sovereign debt.

"Investors want to invest in the debt of French local authorities, which is very safe.But they have few means to do so, since only large communities issue bonds. We offer a suitable vehicle, "said Olivier Landel, Chief Executive of the Association of urban communities in France. Communities will therefore be the primary beneficiaries.

In addition, the agency should issue bonds at a good price. Elected officials hope that, despite the absence of government guarantee, the agency will be rated triple A by virtue of the quality of local debt (the latter must have an operating budget in balance) and mechanisms of solidarity between its members. Above all, the agency lend to municipalities, departments and regions, at a rate just higher than its own cost of funds – but different depending on the risk profile of each community. Because unlike banks, it is not intended nor need to secure substantial profits."The structure is light, with just 70 people to run," insists Jacques Pélissard, President (UMP) of the Association of Mayors of France.

Shortage of bank credit

"We hope to pass the legislation before the end of the year for the agency operates end of 2012. We are confident because the government views with favor the initiative, "said Jacques Pélissard. The first year, the agency should raise 800 million to one billion euros, sixty communities. Ultimately, elected officials are hoping that a quarter of 20 billion of annual funding needs of the communities will be ensured through it.

"The evolution of credit conditions shows that the agency is essential," says Michel Destot, Mayor (PS) in Grenoble and president of the Association of Mayors of major cities in France. In fact, the problems get worse.Haute-Savoie, St. Gervais-les-Bains had to give up an investment due to lack of adequate bank credit. A survey of the AMF, the local sector banks have responded that in 30% of the total volume requested by the communities. Some German banks come to the rescue, but this is not enough. The problem is more acute than that of toxic loans, which represent only 7 billion on a debt of 160 billion community. The government plans to use the Deposit to remedy the lack of funds.

Earlier this week optimistic the New York Stock Exchange. On Monday in early trade, the Dow Jones gained 1.84% to 11,016.24 points while the Nasdaq index jumped 2.15% to 2392.20 points. This return comes in the green after a further sharp fall on Wall Street last Friday. Oil has also opened up, earning $ 1.92 after opening at 84.10 dollars a barrel.

No major statistical date to worry about Wall Street, while European markets are more focused since Monday morning. As for U.S. data, only the index of manufacturing activity in the Chicago Fed was on the agenda. Stood at -0.06 in July, against -0.38 in June. "The index shows no tendency to a looming recession, observes Philippe Waechter, director of economic research at Natixis AM.However, other surveys conducted in August are troubling. "

But it will wait until Tuesday to learn more, with the publication of sales figures for new homes, from 16 hours. Wednesday, the agenda will grow a bit, with durable goods orders for July and the weekly inventory of crude oil to the United States.Thursday, things become more serious with the weekly jobless claims, always eagerly awaited by investors on the lookout for any sign of weakness, or, conversely, improvement in U.S. growth.

Threats to U.S. growth

But the appointment will most certainly expected the intervention, Friday, Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve (Fed), some investors are hoping a third easing able to restart the engine stopped the world's largest economy.This day will be both detailed, the second estimate of U.S. gross domestic product for the second quarter, and the index of consumer confidence for August.

Markets, even if they are experiencing very high volatility, and may still show, at the same time, some caution, pending the decision of the Fed on Friday. Especially as the threats to the outlook for U.S. growth accumulates. After Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase lowered its estimates, in turn, growth in the U.S. economy. The Bank of New York discusses risk "clearly raised" a recession, while growth prospects for the third quarter are for their slightly smaller than before pay day loans.The U.S. GDP growth for the fourth calendar quarter is now expected at a rate of 1%, against 2.5% previously.

Vice President Joe Biden, on an official visit to China, but probably a little appeased the spirits, reaffirming this weekend at the first creditors of the country they could rely on the strength of the U.S. Treasury.

Values ​​to follow

The uncertainty is compounded room at the international level, by the events in Libya. The fall of Colonel Qaddafi, found, became clearer Monday morning, prompting oil companies to return to the values ​​of the colors. However, perhaps more in Europe than the United States. Although they are not active in Libya, Chevron (1.79% to 94.95 dollars) and ExxonMobil (1.66% to 70.96 dollars) respond positively to the opening, rising oil prices in New York.

On the corporate side, the internet telephony group Skype also announced Sunday an agreement to acquire Me Group, a provider of mobile messaging services to targeted groups. Registered in Luxembourg, the company Skype was founded in 2003 and became the world leader in Internet telephony. She is currently being acquired by Microsoft U.S. computer group (0.89% to 24.20 dollars).

Apple (1.22% to 360.58 dollars) takes advantage of the rumors about the implementation of its pre-production soon iPad 3 October.The Wall Street Journal says in effect this morning as the group prepares its suppliers with the necessary logistics, to produce 1.5 million units in the fourth quarter.

In addition, Dollar Thrifty Group Antomotive asked Hertz rental companies (1.03% to 9.81 dollars) and Avis Budget (2.50% to 11.92 dollars) in early October to submit their final proposals on reconciliation activities.

Verizon (1.15% to 35.11 dollars) on his side ended a social movement and Hewlett-Packard takes up 6.34% to 25.12 dollars after losing 20% ​​of its stock value at the end of last week. He took advantage of presenting a new model of high-end PC, after announcing Thursday the sale of its computer manufacturing.

This is the kind of evening that annoys the purists. Last June, the Becca Cason Thrash wealthy Texan, Vice President of "Friends of the Louvre" U.S. and international, organized a charity gala in the largest museum in the world. The guests – celebrities such as Albert of Monaco and actress Fanny Ardant – were welcomed with a cocktail in the apartments of Napoleon III, before dinner – a sacrilege to some – among the sculptures in the Cour Marly. All these people then went under the Pyramid, transformed into a nightclub for a private concert by Janet Jackson. Fee, the event has raised 700,000 euros to restore the decorative arts galleries of the eighteenth century.

Henri Loyrette, the Louvre for ten years, of course, attended the festivities. The Conservative education devotes much of his time raising private money.It is, apparently, difficult to resist the charm of this man of culture nearly 2 meters. A boss of a U.S. real estate company said that the French, he was invited to spend a weekend at his home in Cincinnati, has enchanted by the couple's conversation about opera and architecture of the city, and has even cracked a speech to the local art museum. "At the end of the weekend, I gave him a check for $ 50,000," says the boss at the magazine Business Week.

Henri Loyrette unashamedly claims this fundraiser activity. And for good reason. The state reduced its funding by 5% in 2009 and again from 5% in 2011. Governments subsidize just over half the budget of the Louvre, against 70% in 2001."To finance its activities with a cultural, but also – more than in the past – educational and social, in a context of declining public subsidies, the Louvre has no other choice but to increase its own resources," he assures, noting that the establishment is not intended to generate profits. His office does not resemble that of an entrepreneur. In the room with ocher walls adorned with classical paintings, with windows overlooking the Pont du Carrousel, every corner is occupied by piles of files and books.

Thirty fundraisers

The Louvre, however, is not complaining. With 230 million euros last year (against 80 million in 2001), the institution has resources comparable to the Metropolitan in New York. Another reason for satisfaction, ticketing, clean source of income, has good prospects.The 8.5 million admissions in 2010, 5 million charge, reported 41 million euros. Attendance, up 70% since 2001, should continue to increase. The Louvre, which has raised interest rates from 9.50 to 10 euros in early 2011, taking advantage of the influx of tourists from emerging countries. If France makes a third of visitors, including foreigners, Brazilians ranked third last year behind the Americans and Italians.

Despite their popularity, the former royal palace could not offer a program as rich without its sponsors. The latter brought him 25 million euros last year, more than a quarter of own income. To attract them, the Louvre was created in 2003 a commando no equivalent in France: a team of thirty people dedicated to raising funds. They offer companies to fund projects until end 2013.This may include, for example, to affix its logo on the poster exhibition. Cost: between 100,000 and 400,000 euros for one of the Forbidden City, scheduled in September. Other possibilities, the redesign of the website or with the acquisition of a work of German Romantic painter Friedrich. The Department of Islamic Art, which opened in 2012, it should be 75% funded by the private sector. Saudi Prince al-Walid brings 17 million euros 100 million.

Tax benefits

Fundraisers of the prestigious institution have a strong argument: a tax system that allows the 2003 tax cuts equivalent to 60% of the expenses of artistic patronage, and even 90% for the purchase of a work art classified national treasure. However, they must scrap more than before the crisis.Main challenge, competition of social projects, popular with company employees. As a result, "we propose projects crossing artistic and social dimensions," says Hervé Barbaretta, deputy head of the Louvre. For the exhibition of ancient Macedonia in the fall, Total organize and discovery tours of the museum for troubled youth. To "preserve the scientific credibility," Henri Loyrette ensures that sponsors are funding projects already "tied". This applies to the exhibition "Paper Work", which indicates that the poster is presented by "the Louvre Museum and Canson." Exposure of the watchmaker Breguet in 2009 was cringe, with texts considered too partisan.

In exchange for their support, businesses are entitled to privileges such as the availability of spaces.Other firms pay dearly for these benefits: 100,000 euros for a night under the Pyramid. Unlike donors, they do not have their name engraved for eternity on the "wall of patrons" in the lobby.