International News

It is in the Christofle workshops in Saint-Denis, near Paris, where the Assizes are held the craft, the Secretary of State for Crafts and SMEs today unveiled a thirty measures. Frederic Lefebvre also presents the first dictionary of trades and crafts made by the Higher Institute of trades. While the economic slowdown weakens small companies, the government has sought to limit their cash flow problems. The State must pay the bills upon receipt of an amount less than 5000 euros. "I wrote to all the major French companies and representatives of local communities so that they apply the same rule," says Frédéric Lefebvre.

The artisans can compete more easily for the procurement of up to 15,000 euros, against 4,000 euros previously. "There are thousands of markets that they are going to get easier. We work to promote the hiring of apprentices as an element of choice for businesses in public procurement. Finally, I remain determined to convince the public purchasers to join our project of setting up a central website for the TPE easily know where to find listings of government procurement, "said Frederic Lefebvre.

Transmission and recovery companies will be encouraged. "We will develop regional branches of repayable advances of funds, with the chambers of trade and craft areas and support networks that help entrepreneurs such OSEO and Siagi, said Secretary of State . We will provide an opportunity for buyers to keep an artisan when staff have over 10 employees. Today, a cottage industry, when it is created, is to use up to 10 employees; in the future, a buyer may acquire a company employing 20 employees without it losing its status as an artisan. ".. …… Develop exports

A government portal, listing the aid that can benefit small-scale entrepreneurs, will be implemented. Artisans will participate in the commission of reducing paperwork, composed equally of government officials and business leaders, which will be implemented on March 19. "About 10 measures will reduce and simplify the calculation and payment of social contributions. For example, the Contractor may choose the monthly or quarterly surveys of its social security contributions. The lag between the time of its collection of revenues and the payment of social security contributions will be reduced, "says Frédéric Lefebvre.

The poles for Innovation of Crafts will be developed. "I hope that the craftsmen and designers collaborate more. I am setting up a double signature "made by" with the name of the craftsman and "designed by" with the name of designer, enabling artisans to defend their talent and authenticity in the global marketplace, "explains Frédéric Lefebvre . The cabinetmaker Rinck won a solid commercial success by working with Philippe Starck and other designers. Hundred thousand euros will be allocated to projects where a designer and craftsman have worked together.

To develop the exports made by artisans, which exceed 6 billion euros a year, Paris Airport opens the first half of a space dedicated to the craft at the airport of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. Spaces of the art of French living will be opened in New York and Tokyo. "I hope that the great American fortunes, Asian, South American or Russian sponsor of French craftsmen labeled" business of living heritage and crafts. " Artisans will be able to win new business, "says Frédéric Lefebvre. This operation sponsorship will be launched in the first half in Moscow and Miami.

Conclusion of the Secretary of State, who does not forget the campaign: "Artisans are strong pillars of France defended the president. They embody the work, a key value that France remains the fifth largest economy. They create jobs, growth, and defend the identity of the territories. "

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Since the tsunami of 11 March and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the Japanese atomic reactors were arrested, one after the other to be auscultated. Today, on the fifty-four boilers that supplied 28% of electricity in the Archipelago, only two work. And they should, they also stop in April to be tested for safety.

The streets of Tokyo shine though all their neon lights, and the life of the megalopolis of 35 million people saw the usual pace of its thousands of trains daily. Certainly, the corridors of Meti, the Ministry of Economy, are left in the dark, for an example. But the great campaign to save energy this summer ended.

This return to almost normal life despite the closure of fifty-two reactors, Japan pays a high price. Imports of oil and gas only for rotating thermal power plants in 2011 jumped by 77% and 18%. For the first time in thirty-one years, Japan had a trade deficit in 2011, 24 billion euros. And began the year with a record monthly deficit of 15 billion euros for the month of January, dug by the price of crude.

In this context, the government and power companies do not hide their desire: to restart nuclear plants faster. Large industrial fear a surge in the cost per kilowatt hour are pushing in this direction. The electrician Tepco, which operated the plant in Fukushima Daiichi and navigates to the brink of bankruptcy, announced an increase in its rates 17% for its major customers.

Restart nuclear facilities, just a year after the nuclear accident which forced 100,000 people to evacuate contaminated area? "For the Japanese, it's almost existential debate," says a French expert on energy, visiting Tokyo. The surveys that follow indicate that the majority of the population wants a nuclear phase-out.

Breach of trust

Reflecting Yuichiro Yonei, student 23 years specializing in energy met at the University of Tsukuba, who lived on March 11 as "a break" pay day loans. The young man, who no longer has confidence in the government's word on disaster management Fukushima, became antinuclear. Many young people who share his position on social networks come to sign the petitions in the tent erected militants since the fall before the Ministry of Economy.

The government Yoshihiko Noda walking on eggshells. It will not go into force. Formally, it does not need the green light of regional governors, elected, but nevertheless takes shelter behind them. To restore confidence, after pointing a report of TEPCO and failures of government, the government is reforming the nuclear safety authority, discredited.

Sixteen reactors only have registered for "stress test". Two of them, Ohi 3 and 4, have been deemed suitable by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and could be the first to restart.

The government plans to present in June or July of its energy strategy for the coming years. "We must remove our dependence on nuclear power and build medium to long term a company that will not have to rely on this energy," said the Prime Minister Noda Saturday.

By the summer season of peak power consumption due to the massive use of air conditioning, the Japanese will have to make tough choices: restart their nuclear reactors or pay the current high price; suffer outages new current or reduce their consumption of 10 to 15%.

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This is an open secret, Greece will not reimburse at best a small part of his debts. In practice, three-way open to it. Either to agree with its private creditors who accept a "voluntary extinction" of their assets or negotiate a "partial default" in accordance with its European partners. Or, finally, walk out, like Argentina in 2001, called a "disorderly default."

On the merits, all three perspectives are not so different as they seem at first glance. Buenos Aires was finally concluded in 2005, a restructuring agreement with its creditors, who agreed to lose 65% of their assets. A huge sacrifice, but less than the "palm" of 73% currently proposed to the creditors of Athens, according to Jean Lemierre encryption, one of their main representatives in the discussions.

It comes out of the ambiguity that his injury

Moreover, the "voluntary" nature of the PSI, the Private Sector Involvement, where creditors agree to commit hara-kiri is a total hypocrisy. It's like "confessions during the Spanish Inquisition," recently remarked President of Commerzbank Martin Blessing. It expresses a widespread feeling among his colleagues and much more in the Greek pension funds. For them, three quarters of the savings are invested in securities of their state, the loss will be huge, whereas exposure to Greece is only 1% of GDP in the euro area for international investors (according the BIS figures).

But, as everyone knows, no one leaves ambiguity as its detriment. Breaking fiction would volunteer to accept a "partial default". However, as repeatedly stated since the summer of 2011 Jean-Claude Trichet and Mario Draghi, his successor as head of the ECB, the latter would be forced overnight to refuse the Greek securities pledged loans that it offers to banks Hellenic. It would be to bankrupt the entire banking system of Greece, with a further loss of 173 billion euros for the ECB, obliged to make a cross on the Greek paper it holds (retired or in outright purchases ).

As for the third option, a "disorderly failure", the international consequences would be far more dramatic than in the case of Argentina. The shock wave would destabilize the rest of Europe. The IIF, the bank lobby, estimated at 1,000 billion euros losses for banks because of their financial ramifications cross. They consider to be a Gordian knot impossible to untie except slicing. Which would amount to a bank crash cause at least as serious as the crisis following the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

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Personal loans and other revolving loans no longer seduce the French. In January, output fell by 7.4% compared to January 2011, according to the ASF (French Association of Financial Companies). Last year, after a strong first quarter (+9.3%), it had already begun a sharp decline: – 1.8% in the second quarter – the third and 3.7% – 4.5% in the fourth . "The French market fell to its 2000 level. Production in 2011 was 14% below the historic peak of 2007, "said Bruno Salmon, president of the ASF.

The revolving credit continues to decline

To explain this disaffection, professionals invoke the loss of consumer confidence in an economic anxiety, but also lower sales of new cars, and therefore the associated credits. The car loans decreased by 14.5% in January over the same month last year, and 7.8% over the last three months.

Also involved, the law Lagarde who oversaw the marketing of revolving credit, these "reserves" of money in which the borrower draws at will as and its needs.

This law compels such professionals to offer clients an alternative to the revolving loan in excess of 1000 euros. They must also include in each monthly payment a minimum repayment of capital. The loan term is shortened, and the amount becomes smaller. Revolving credit is transformed gradually into a cash credit for small amounts, for short periods, for small repetitive purchases.

The impact of the law Lagarde

"The law Lagarde has reduced from 12% to 15% of the openings of new revolving loans and a decrease of 20% of new uses of credit lines already open," said Francoise Guillabert Palle, general delegate of the ASF.

In total, the production of these loans fell by 6.1% in 2011. This is the fourth consecutive year of decline. They also represent more than 35% of consumer loans made by members of the ASF, against 40% in 2009.

In a recent study, the French Banking Federation (FBF) also emphasized the lower French interest in the consumer credit. Only 3.6% of respondents were planning to buy one within six months, against 4.1% a year earlier.

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Can we judge the Heads of State or Government for their responsibility in the economic crisis that has shaken the world since 2008? To this question, the parties have used to respond that the verdict will urns – some have already experienced at their expense. Iceland is in court that the former head of government is accountable. Geir Haarde appearing before a special court – the exclusive right to try ministers – for his role in the collapse of the financial system. Adjourned in September, the trial resumed on Monday and will last until March 15. The accused faces up to two years in prison.

That's an understatement to say that Iceland has suffered from the crisis: the economy of the island with 320,000 inhabitants was literally blown away by the explosion of the global financial system in 2008. The three largest banks in the country, which held assets equivalent to 923% of national GDP, went bankrupt. Plunged into deep recession, the country owed its salvation to EUR 1.6 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. Popular anger caused by this disaster had forced the then Conservative government of Geir Haarde to resign.

"We saved the country from bankruptcy"

But Iceland is not stopping there 0cherche guilty. In spring 2009, a parliamentary commission of inquiry concluded that the main leaders of countries have made serious mistakes in managing the crisis. The expert report specifically criticized Geir Haarde to have stifled the information leaving early in the year 2008 point to a major financial crisis guaranteed payday loans. The former head must also meet its inaction to reduce the size of banks hypertrophied.  

According to the accused, let the banks go broke "was the right thing to do" and "saved the country from bankruptcy." "The banking sector has collapsed but the real economy, the entire production capacity of the country, remained intact and continues to run," he pleaded last summer. In fact, Iceland has since returned to growth. If the state had guaranteed foreign debts of the banking system, Geir Haarde believes that Iceland would have "the same mistakes" as Greece, for example.

Beyond the merits, the defense challenges the very principle of this trial. She recalled that none of the other ministers implicated by the inquiry commission has not been charged. But among them were two Socialists, and it's socialist majority in Parliament to what income the decision to refer Geir Haarde court. The latter has a field day denouncing a "settling of accounts" policy. More broadly, the former leader sees himself as a scapegoat for the crisis: "There was a collapse of banks around the world (…) Why is there no other political leader in a court like? ".

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Apple has concerns for the rich. What to do with $ 100 billion in free cash? The question is more embarrassing than it seems for Apple. It happens more a presentation of results without the fuse questions from analysts on the subject. They call for the resumption of dividend-practice abandoned by a moribund Apple in 1995 – the establishment of a share buyback program or acquisitions. Even Tim Cook, Apple chief executive, admitted late February that his group has "too much cash", fueling rumors of a possible resumption of dividends. But this is not so simple.

Two-thirds of the cash Apple are outside the United States. The repatriation of this war chest, including the form of dividends, would have a huge fiscal cost. It could cost more than $ 22 billion in taxes, according to Bespoke Investment Group. The geographic dispersion of cash Apple is primarily due to its organization based on many subsidiaries abroad. With a first consequence: some countries, like China or Russia, limit lift cash. Apple is "sentenced" to spend there or all of the profits.

But the Californian company is also a willing victim in other territories. As Microsoft or Google, Apple has found his tax haven in Ireland. A small expatriation that allows Apple to display an average tax rate of 24.2% worldwide for its fiscal year 2011. Ten points lower than the average tax rate for U.S. companies.

This type of organization, however, has absolutely nothing special. All multinationals, or almost, have adopted the same legal and tax scheme. This selection draws the ire of American protest groups, who dream of seeing repatriated profits and taxed in the United States. Faced with these attacks, such multinationals, united in a group called Win America, do not hesitate to conduct intensive lobbying campaigns aimed at getting a tax amnesty.

More acquisitions

Failing to do this, each brings its solutions. For Apple, it passes through acquisitions of companies abroad. End of 2011, the U.S. has set his sights on Anobit, an Israeli start-up specializing in flash memory, paid $ 500 million. A transaction modest by Apple, but the most important of the last fifteen years. And that could foreshadow other. Apple also raised equity investments in production facilities in Asia, which would also be a way to secure its supplies. To takeovers abroad could finally be added that of patent portfolios. Apple has already completed several major transactions in this area, although for the moment, they were all performed in the United States.

Finally, the development of Apple Store (owned stores) is a good way to reinvest the cash. Tim Cook, Apple chief executive, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen the distribution network. Since we do lend to the rich, there is talk now of the upcoming Apple Store opening on the Champs-Elysees.

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As soon as the telecom regulator (ARCEP) she reiterated that Free Mobile fulfilling its obligations in terms of coverage, the network of the new telephone is again controversial. He knows since Friday morning strong disturbances that affect customer communications. The magnitude of the incident remains unknown, Iliad, the parent of Free, refused to give details. But for France Telecom, under contract to Free Mobile, it would be a "major incident".

Disturbances may be caused by the failure of one of the two "signaling equipment" Free Mobile needed to find the phones.

Orange wants to keep his distance. The incumbent is linked to Free Mobile "a roaming agreement" which allows customers to use the Free Orange network in areas where Free has not yet developed its own coverage. "Free us informed in the late morning of an incident on its network equipment. This incident is in no way related to the contract of homelessness in Orange network, "said a spokesman for France Telecom fast cash loans.

No "quality testing service"

The incident revived the controversy over the quality of service of the fourth mobile operator. Tuesday, Arcep confirmed before an Assembly committee that Free Mobile covered at least 27% of the French population, a regulatory requirement for anyone holding a mobile telephone license. The regulatory authority, however, that it had made "coverage tests" and not "test quality of service."

For other telephone companies, possess Free Mobile Network "cheap" or "empty". They accuse him and his relay off voluntarily and not to develop its infrastructure to rest on those of Orange, better and more extensive. It is estimated that over 90% of calls made by customers Free pass through its network.

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In a mobile market completely disrupted by the arrival of Free Mobile, Bouygues Telecom said it had lost 159,000 customers, of which 134,000 went to Free Mobile. This represents 1.4% of its fleet of 11.3 million mobile customers. Last week, Orange announced that it had lost, for its part, 201,000 mobile customers in total, or 0.7% of its fleet.

Result, Bouygues Telecom expects a decline of 10% of its turnover in 2012 to 5.14 billion euros. The arrival of Free Mobile is not the only cause. Martin Bouygues, CEO of the group, also cited pell-mell "regulation, the end of the differential termination, terminal costs, Chatel law which is one of the most protective for the consumer."

To resist, the group announced a plan to reduce costs this year. "Our goal is a plan to save 300 million euros, which will be achieved in part through new commercial offerings but also using our flexibility on external loads," said Martin Bouygues. The group, which has 9,800 employees in late 2011, should not undergo abrupt reduction of the workforce. "By cons, what is clear is that staffing levels, recruitment Bouygues Telecom are completely blocked (…). We will let the natural decline to do, "he said, adding that cost savings could affect contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.

"Free Mobile makes the cuckoo"

Bouygues Telecom is also focusing on innovation. The group decided to have a strong positioning in the offers "bare" (without telephone and commitment, 100% web) with B & You, and with the offers services through Eden. It will market its new box with the Sensation "the most powerful processor market and offers the largest VOD thanks to agreements with TF1," said Martin Bouygues. He announced that the band would embark on the next generation mobile (4G) this year and was pleased to have obtained frequencies' en o "- in the band 800 MHz – stressing" they allow a very good coverage inside buildings. "

Martin Bouygues has admitted that the offer of Free Mobile was very aggressive. "But it is by no means a reflection of its production costs. Free Mobile is the cuckoo on the Orange network, he said. The telecom industry is a fixed cost. If someone could have a variable cost structure, if there was distortion of competition, it would in my view extremely serious, "he added, without elaborating.

On the roaming agreement that allows to use the Free Mobile network Orange, Martin Bouygues considers it "would not be unusual that this contract be made public, since the two competitors know, and two others not." All these topics should be discussed at the meeting between Martin Bouygues Telecom and Constable (ARCEP). "If we must suffer and die, it will be the fault of the regulator," he concluded.

Yesterday, Bouygues share lost 2.09%, to 23.88 euros, while the action Iliad (Free) clôturait on a record 99.55 euros, up 2.10%.

The debt crisis in Europe continues to impose experiencing this ritual to Angela Merkel and her center-right coalition. As in the previous six votes, in which MPs have urged the German solidarity towards the euro area, the approval by the Bundestag of the second bailout Greek turned yesterday at Calvary for the Chancellor, threatening its majority an existential crisis. Monday, she called politicians to approve the plan of 130 billion euros, for which the German contribution will be $ 35 billion, saying any other way "irresponsible" as the risks of bankruptcy of Greece are "incalculable ". However, Merkel has obtained the ratification of the Bundestag that through the voice of the opposition, throwing his government in limbo.

"The risks of turning away from Greece are incalculable, Merkel warned before the elected lower house of Parliament. Nobody can anticipate the consequences of the German economy, on Italy, on Spain, on the whole euro area and for the world "would have a bankruptcy of Greece. "I can not throw myself into the adventure, my oath forbade me," she said. Before insisting once again on the dramatic challenge: "If the euro fails, Europe is lost. If the euro wins, Europe wins. "

The Bavarian conservatives had turned up the heat in recent days by calling to stop pouring money into "a bottomless pit." Many elected Merkel of the CDU feel that Greece is a "lost cause". Result: The Chancellor received only 304 votes out of 311 needed to gather his own majority. The humiliation is even larger than the text was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 496 deputies, with the votes of the opposition instant payday loan. Some elected opposition will surely call early elections. For doubt now weighs on the viability of the Merkel government by the next legislative elections in 2013.

Soothe the discontent

The conservative chancellor acknowledged that "the path that opens before Greece is long and certainly not without risk." "This also applies to the success of the new program, no one can give guarantee 100% success," she added. His finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble warned MPs in a letter last week that it was probably not the last time they had to look at the Greek case. "The Bundestag will vote a third package for Greece," predicted Steinbrück for his part, is the opposition Social Democrats, during the parliamentary debate.

To try to calm the discontent in his camp (conservative CDU / CSU and liberal FDP), the Chancellor reiterated that his Government had "no need for a debate on increasing the volume of rescue mechanisms" to work (EFSF) and future (MES). A response to the demands of the G20, the last weekend, which was insufficient to convince its members. Following the appointment of a consensus candidate wanted by the opposition, Joachim Gauck, as president, Merkel cash their second defeat in a week.

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The financial and economic crisis in full swing throughout the world, with its procession of bankruptcies, plant closures and layoffs? But lo and behold, it does not stress CEOs unduly: this is certainly the result of a study conducted by the audit firm and consultancy, Grant Thornton, with 6000 companies worldwide .

According to figures from the International Business Report, the rate of business leaders saying be stressed has never been so low for seven years at the global level, 28% (it reached 45% in 2010). The phenomenon is identical to the European level, with a stress level in company from 40% in 2010 to 22% in 2011.

Another lesson for the least surprising, who would have thought that France is part of the least stressed in the world: this is a reality, says Grant Thornton. It is indeed in France found the rate of the lowest stress patterns, with 29% against 34% at EU level.

For Jean-Jacques Pichon, partner at Grant Thornton, "these figures are encouraging but the stress level within companies is still high. However, satisfaction and well-being of employees are important data for growing businesses, "says he.

The Southeast Asia is the region of the globe where we find the highest proportion of employers stressed (44%), however, a figure lower than in 2010 (58%). And large countries, the study highlights a perfect correlation between the worsening economic crisis and soaring job stress, "the three European countries have undergone the recession and the biggest increase in stress level in 2011 are Greece (67%), Spain (37%) and Italy (32%), "she says No teletrak payday loan. In contrast, only 5% of Danes and 8% of Finns said they had been stressed during the year.

Need a holiday

The causes of stress are varied but the primary concern of business leaders is "to achieve the performance goals." Then come the workload, the internal politics of the company and the balance of work life / personal life.

To evacuate "the evil of the XXI century", which still costs € 20 billion for European companies, the International Business Report recommends several remedies: play sport regularly, delegating tasks, better organize the teams, keep pace regular work … and take more vacations!

Countries with rates lower the stress are those in which firms make the most of holidays. This is the case of France, but also Denmark, the Netherlands and Russia. "Obviously, with employees who feel rested, better about themselves, who can control their stress and make decisions with a clear vision, performance for the company is considerable," says Jean-Jacques Pichon.

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