International News

The International Monetary Seminar, which opens Thursday morning in Nanjing to the Chinese seems in some embarrassment. President Nicolas Sarkozy inaugurated in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister Wang Qingshan, the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde, finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 countries.

While the Elysee this meeting as "an important symbol," "a unique event," which "enshrines the weight of China in the global economy", Beijing sees an "informal seminar, and academic "according to Jiang Yu, spokesperson of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The official news agency Xinhua pretended to discover, there ten days, the presence of the French head of state by saying he would meet with Chinese officials, without specifying which ones.As for the Chinese embassy in Paris, who knew where the meeting was held in Nanjing, it stated that the seminar was "entirely organized by France" and that the Chinese were content to "make available the infrastructure is everything. "

In fact, Nicolas Sarkozy, who arrives Wednesday afternoon in Beijing, will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People, for bilateral talks followed by a dinner on the G20 and international diplomatic issues, including Libya and Japan, where the French president is scheduled to visit Friday.

Pressure on the yuan

"The Chinese will reserve a special welcome to Nicolas Sarkozy, to commemorate the visit of Hu Jintao to Paris and Nice," we are assured at the Elysee.But China, which the press is unleashed strikes against Libya, did not seem to want to advertise around this movement, hard won by France.

Although the seminar does Nanjing officially "no money in particular", and emphasizes the "structural reform of the international monetary system", Beijing knows that its monetary policy will be at the center of discussions. For Westerners, the Chinese currency, the yuan, which traded at 6.56 yuan to the dollar is undervalued by 20% to 30%.

If the Chinese authorities have made the fight against inflation their priority of economic policy, Beijing does not intend to dictate the way forward.A revaluation of the yuan would most frank yet to effectively fight against inflation, Washington insists.

Unlike the U.S., France does not address the issue of the yuan so front, preferring to advocate a stronger role of the Chinese currency in the international monetary system, a step sought by Beijing, which will require ultimately, the yuan's convertibility and liberalization of its exchange rate regime. "The purpose of this seminar is to reach a common diagnosis on the strengths and weaknesses of the current international monetary system and develop possible reforms for the G20," said the French presidency.

The dollar, global reserve currency risk is in the sights of Paris and Beijing.First holder of U.S. debt, China's central bank estimates that the dollar will continue to weaken this year because of "low interest rates and deficits."

ALSO READ:

"The yuan-dollar battle invites himself in Washington

And if the yuan was trading as the dollar or the euro

"The Chinese currency accelerated its internationalization

With the earthquake that devastated the island and the threat of nuclear catastrophe, Japan fears a massive repatriation of capital invested abroad by individuals and by businesses that would cause an immediate surge in the yen. That's what happened after the Kobe earthquake in 1995 where the Japanese currency had taken 15% against the U.S. dollar, finding himself at the highest in its history. But the movement seems already well underway.

Madame Figaro continues its transformation. Starting today, it is available in both "pocket" that will remain on newsstands throughout the week, while the larger version will pack integrated into the weekend, with Le Figaro, Le Figaro Magazine and TV Magazine.

With this new pocket-sized, already widely adopted by other women, Madame Figaro hopes to broaden its distribution and its audience, especially among readers from 25 to 45 years. "One way we confront the issue sales in another way," says Marc Feuillée, general manager of Le Figaro. There is a real potential for a new "pocket" upscale."Tests conducted late 2010 showed that over one third of the buyers pocket size never read Madame Figaro and they do not know the brand," said Jean-Guillaume d'Ornano, director of the division Madam within the group Le Figaro.

Sold at an introductory price of 1 euro for three weeks, the "pocket" will then be offered 1.30 euros, up 1.50 or 1.70 euros for special issues. This launch will be supported by a promotional campaign, including TV (TF1 and Canal +) and retail outlets.

"2 million will be invested in this new product is a first for us," says Marc Feuillée.This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our publications and take initiatives in a highly competitive environment. "The initial implementation will be 207,000 copies.

Additional territories

Associated with the weekend package, Madame Figaro is already the upscale women's most powerful with 429,079 copies paid France in 2010, according to OJD.

The objective set for Madame Figaro Pocket is to increase the combined sales of 5 to 10%, or 30,000 to 40,000 extra copies.

"The" pocket "does not cannibalize the" Madam, "says Jean-Guillaume d'Ornano. Instead, it will explore additional territories. " First at the distribution level because it will be present in the medium and large food stores, where the pack weekend is almost absent.Then, at the level of readership, since it should appeal to younger readers, urban and active.

Finally, in advertising, the weekly exposure of the title should appeal to existing advertisers and attract new ones.

The contents of the "pocket" will be exactly the same as that of large size. "The idea is to make the world more accessible luxury and avant-garde on which Madame has built its legitimacy," said Anne-Florence Schmitt, executive editor of Madame Figaro. The output of the "pocket" is accompanied by the provision of an application for iPad (0.79 euro download), after the launch of a new version of the website in December.

ALSO READ:

Le Figaro Magazine facelift

"Mougeotte:" A new dynamic in 2011 "

Relegated to fifth in the world when he was number two behind General Motors in 2004, Ford, the only major U.S. manufacturer to have happened in Washington's help in 2009, returned to growth. It even displays an appetite of an ogre, with the goal of producing up to 8 million vehicles this year, against 5.3 million in 2010.

To support this ambition, the group's strategy rests on two pillars: "One Ford" and Sync. "One Ford" for the universal car pooling and industrial resources, sales and marketing group. Sync technology. The group invests heavily inspired by the universe created around smartphones and other mobile uses.

Indeed, earlier this week, while the motor show in Geneva in full swing, the CEO of Ford himself is in Hanover for the CeBIT, an electronics show.

LE FIGARO.- What is the importance of technology in the strategy of Ford? This change does your brand?

Alan Mulally. – Our brand has steadily improved over the last four or five years. Ford's strategy is to offer a full range of vehicles, from small city to the big family. Each being the best in its class and meet four criteria: quality, safety, reduced CO2 emissions, technological intelligence. All for a price accessible to the greatest number. What we can do with our size and standardization. The Ford Focus Sync is sold between 16,000 and 20,000 dollars, its European price has not yet been determined. Today, 70% of cars bought in the U.S. are equipped with our technology Sync, and 80% of people who use the recommended spontaneously to their surroundings. Ford Sync and MyTouch are real vectors of purchase.To borrow a metaphor from the world of smartphones, Ford is working with Microsoft and acts like Apple. Ford is the latest in mobile technology.

Why high-tech rather than low cost?

We want to be a leader in providing useful services for the driver. With our system, voice commands, the driver can access their phone, including his music, without ever leaving the road. We make the road safer. We started with 1000 voice commands, we are now at 10,000. Ultimately, it will be possible to have a real conversation with his car payday loans. All with simplicity. The car has no onboard equipment, it facilitates the connection of consumer electronic devices.

How does this fit into your strategy "One Ford"?

As you know, we sold our other brands to focus on Ford.This represented 45% of our sales a few years ago. It is almost 100% today, with a full range of vehicles. For this, we rely on our industrial platforms. Focus is produced in five plants worldwide and will be split into ten versions, with 80% common parts. The remaining 20% correspond to the necessary adaptations to local demands. We find the spirit of Henry Ford who wanted to reach the largest number of customers by sticking to their expectations.

Will this be enough for it to regain market share that you lost?

Ford sales have risen dramatically. The four pillars of our strategy are almost universal. Sync is a vector of purchase: consumers want to stay connected to their digital world. Yet there had never been on the market for small vehicles with many capabilities.We will continue our growth by responding better to the expectations of our customers. This year we aim to produce between 7.5 and 8 million vehicles worldwide. This is a tremendous increase in a year!

You are attached to environmental issues. What type of engine for the vehicle of tomorrow?

We improve the performance of our engines, both petrol and diesel, and we are developing both hybrid, plug-in hybrids and electric cars. The recent development is intrinsically linked to the electrical infrastructure, the ability to manage networks. This will require public-private partnerships. Electricity is also a solution for emerging countries seeking to secure their energy independence. Finally, in the longer term, I think the hydrogen engine.Everything will depend on technological advances in the field of batteries, but an engine that emits only water is fantastic!

ALSO READ:

"In return, American manufacturers are betting on small cars

"Ford revises the SUV with Vertrek

In the alleys of the Geneva Motor Show

A crop in good and due form. The president, on Thursday at his vows to the social partners, spoke on the 35 hours, while the endless controversy over grow in the majority. The 35 hours' hard 'to' Mrs. Aubry had "consequences éfavorables" to "competitiveness of enterprises, the purchasing power and on public finances," he said. But with the flexibility introduced since then, "the 35 hours, uniform binding, no longer exist," says Nicolas Sarkozy.

So, yes, "there is no taboo subjects." But the head of state borders the debate: no question of "touching the purchasing power of employees" or "influence the competitiveness of enterprises". Include: no increase in expenses, which would put pressure on labor costs, or increase or elimination of the statutory working hours.This would reduce the number of overtime. These have enabled "5.3 million people" through exemptions from charges and income tax, to supplement their monthly in 2010.

"For an average wage worker makes two additional hours per week, the net gain in purchasing power is 150 euros per month, said Nicolas Sarkozy. I do not know how to tell employees to work more without earning more. "Thinly veiled allusion to the boss of the UMP, Jean-Francois Cope, who wants to bring down the 35 hours but acknowledged it would mean "very short term" work longer for the same pay.

Bernard Thibault singled

Nicolas Sarkozy and Jean-Claude Mailly (FOR) during the vows.

Who would have thought that the earthquake created by the rock band Radiohead in the music industry would have spread to so many sectors? In 2007, the rock band had initially marketed its seventh album, In Rainbows, in digital form online, the group's website and at a price determined by the buyer. Since then, the crisis has passed by and the phenomenon of "Pay as You Want" has flourished.

The latest example, the operation "Set the price of the stay" of the hotel chain Best Western France. During the first half of September, the group's clients were able to book a night at a price "free" in twenty three or four star hotels. Best Western had at their disposal 900 rooms, the 15,000 on the channel plans in France. The success has been the appointment."We had a peak of reservations in the early days of the operation," says Alexander Poitou, marketing director of Best Western France. In total, 750 nights were taken by assault, a reservation rate of over 80%.

Create Event

Generous side, however, customers have generally taken the game really the best, most went away satisfied by paying a score of 40 to 60% of the normal price of the bedroom. Others have simply used the book to one euro. "This initiative was intended to publicize Best Western and reaffirm its position as channel 3 and 4 stars," says marketing manager, for whom the "qualitative" aspects of this project has always been more important than the "quantitative .The hotel group has spent about 40,000 euros in this campaign, which has largely turned to social networks and partnerships with the media.

Two websites have also created the event in France in 2009. The site Jefixeleprixdemonsejour.com, Madame Vacances Group has launched several operations such as tourist accommodation. In November of that year, BrandAlley.fr has also proposed this kind of operation, for clothes declawed. In the context of the crisis, there are also some restaurants put, especially in the provinces payday loans in 1 hour. Finally, a law firm has adopted this system in May 2009. Master Peter Redoutey decided to accept this form of remuneration for consultations and requests for review of acts or draft acts via the Internet.

The search for the "good deal"

If it has spread thanks to the crisis, the concept of "Country as you want" however, should not impose lasting relationship and revolutionize the market in France. In a report on consumer behavior with the crisis, the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Credoc) explains that "the success of the operations' pay as you want (…) illustrates the search Perpetual of the bargain. "

Certainly, with the return, households have somewhat solved the moral and resumed eating. Their spending on manufactured goods rose 1.5% in September after declining 1.6% in August, according to the latest figures from INSEE. On the entire third quarter, they rose 1.2% after falling 0.8% in the second. The purchasing power remains a concern for the French, who continue to save.The savings rate rose from 16.1% in the second quarter of 2010.

A difficult concept economically viable

Teachers need to adapt to the lackluster economic conditions. "We are witnessing a proliferation of special offers or discounts offered to customers in the store so spontaneous," said Pascale Hebel, Director of Consumer Credoc pole. No question, however, indulge in selling at a loss. "The concept of 'pay as you want' is hardly viable, because many buyers are paying the minimum price," said the manager.

For retailers that put in place, "these offerings enable foremost to communicate cheaply," the report said Credoc. "The 'pay as you want' is a marketing concept. Its goal is to create the 'buzz', "said Pascale Hebel. To believe the benefits of the operation of Best Western, it works!

"On pension reform, employers and unions have continued to talk." After this reform has given rise to serious wrangling between government and unions, the president of MEDEF, Laurence Parisot, now wants to look ahead. Objective: To revive the dialogue. "We believe in the power of the peer," she told Europe 1 radio on Sunday. And for that, she will invite leaders of various unions to meet to establish a "social agenda on the next two years."

For the president of MEDEF, we must find a way to "expedite all ongoing negotiations," including one on the modernization of institutions representing the personnel and the modernization of the peer.It is also necessary, she said, packing "obvious negotiations on supplementary pension schemes Agirc-Arcco.

"The government must establish more harmony in our country"

Laurence Parisot also expecting much from the new government. "We expect the new government's ability to establish a little more harmony in our country," she said.

Among the main issues she will discuss with them the job market. "We will diagnose the labor market," says the president of MEDEF. Freshly maintained his position as prime minister by the president, Nicolas Sarkozy, Francois Fillon said in a statement "to be firmly in a new stage which will allow our country to strengthen its economic growth in the service employment. For the president of MEDEF, the creation of jobs through the SOHO and SMEs."We must have the attitude of SMEs and to show solidarity with these companies, which may be both the most vulnerable, but also the first to leave."

"Continue to reduce deficits"

One of his goals is to bring the juniors and seniors. "There is a misconception that we have heard much that would be: a senior citizen who stays longer in the job is a job for a young and less," she insisted. We must, enterprises, we thought the relationship senior juniors in the same way. That is why we are considering the establishment of mechanisms for mentoring between junior and senior. "

Who said creating more jobs, said to boost this growth. Therefore continue to reduce deficits for Laurence Parisot. "If we continue in this direction, we could reach 3% or 4% growth by 2015. Otherwise, social issues will become dramatic. "The government has planned at least 40 billion euros in savings in the 2011 budget. Objective: To reduce the public deficit of 7.7% this year to 6% in late 2011.

ALSO READ:

"Nicolas Sarkozy promulgates the law on pension reform

Is the price to pay for the balance of power. In the EU new formula, Parliament carries the same weight as the twenty-seven states for the adoption of the EU budget. Regarding fiscal 2011, a penny saved is a penny more than ever. And the first shock, the result produced two legitimate dreaded deadlock and recrimination. Since Thursday, the twenty-seven governments and tenors of the 754 MEPs in Brussels have launched reconciliation of the last chance. "The European Assembly plays" Hold me back or I do something I "…" a diplomat analysis. "The Capitals have still not grasped: it will not agree without Parliament," says Joseph Daul, EPP boss of the majority group.

Both sides seemed slim hope of avoiding a deadlock over the European Treaty of Lisbon embossed business card.The year 2011 would start without a budget, sending the current expenditure on a monthly basis in the manner of the Fourth Republic. In terms of image, the European Parliament which has the most to lose by appearing as a blocking force expensive, despite the legitimacy of universal suffrage and the additional powers granted by the Treaty of Lisbon. But over time, what are the capitals that would have to pick up the pieces: the EU budget represents nearly 80% of agricultural subsidies and regional funds that states can no longer do without. Besides the prestige projects (such as the External Action Service) and the heavy investments that can not fly without extension in 2011."Next year, governments in hand we eat," suggests a senior MP.

Discrete leeway

If Parliament has the last word on spending, he has no voice on revenue, exclusive competence of Member States. This is where the shoe pinches. National treasuries, taken by the throat by their deficits, want at all costs curb the rise of their checks to Europe. "2.91% more in 2011, the number we want to put in stone," said one British official. On this point, Britain's David Cameron has the full support of Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel and nine other European leaders."It will be 2.91%, period," insists a French source.

Seen from the side of the assembly, this figure would be rather a starting point for negotiations, even go to the cricket when the rest of Europe tightens its belt color business card . In early fall, parties who dominate the Assembly have sealed their unity around a budget increase of 6.18%. Unofficially, their experts are ready to bring the cursor at midpoint: 4.5%. It is doubtful that the Assembly gets faced with a very British Treasury reassembled. The postponement to 2011 of unused envelopes or the difference between appropriation and disbursement of discrete scenes offer leeway.

Ultimately, Parliament could still lose on the numbers.But to get the pill, several countries including France are ready to offer a little honey political opening a debate with the Parliament on the EU's own resources. Provided they do not speak of a European tax, of course …

From our special correspondent in Seoul, Alexandrine Bouilhet.

The G20 just to bury the hatchet on the coins. Meeting of Heads of State and Governments of the twenty largest world powers opened last night in a tense, because of the strong opposition between Chinese and Americans on the front of currencies. "When we discussed the terms of currencies, the atmosphere was so stuffy in the room, we had to open the door!" Said one diplomat Korean.

The working dinner of Heads of State, chaired by the Korean Lee Myung Bak, failed to find an acceptable compromise."All countries must make concessions," urged the South Korean president, who had deliberately placed the dinner, President Barack Obama in front of his main opponents on the issue of currency: Hu Jintao (China) Lula da Silva (Brazil), Angela Merkel (Germany), and Dmitry Medvedev (Russia).

At dinner, Chinese and Americans insisted on the "need for cooperation," but, on the coins, they are sticking to their positions: Hu Jintao will not be imposed by the G20 a revaluation of the yuan more candid when he accuses the United States, issued the world's reserve currency, to depreciate the dollar voluntarily. The Chinese are not alone in criticizing the U.S. monetary policy.Europeans, Angela Merkel at the head, then Russians and Brazilians said to Barack Obama all the evil they thought the Fed's decision to inject $ 600 billion into the monetary system, to revive the economy.

The U.S. president was forced to defend the action of the Federal Reserve, in principle independent, placing it in an uncomfortable situation. Barack Obama has assured his peers especially that "the U.S. does not seek to weaken the dollar to gain in competitiveness. Not always convincing.

Towards a compromise "less ambitious" than that of Gyeongju

Failing agreement between heads of state, the "sherpas" G20 continued to work until 3 am on the final communique. But they went to bed without finding a satisfactory compromise."We want to send a message criticizing the competitive devaluations, as the notorious undervaluation of certain currencies, but in the present context, it is not easy!" Said one trader.

At this stage, the proposed compromise on the currency would be "less ambitious" than that reached by the G20 Finance Ministers, in Gyeongju (Korea). "The Fed's decision has robbed the Chinese, which brought us one step back," lamented a European diplomat.

"Need for sustainable growth and balanced"

Failing to extract a commitment on the Chinese yuan, the U.S. insists to get in the final communique, firm commitments for the reduction of current account imbalances. "We want to stimulate growth at home but also abroad," urged Barack OMAB.This should translate to Americans, by creating a new "mechanism" requiring exporting countries China, Germany, Japan to reduce their current account surpluses, which would translate into practice by opening new markets to foreign companies . Washington has given up trying to impose the limits of 4% surplus or deficits, a goal firmly rejected by Berlin before the summit.

But Barack Obama insists: if domestic demand and falling deficits in the United States, without China or other countries with high savings take over consumption, "it will result in a decrease of growth" for the world wide. "You see, we find an agreement by all countries including Germany, the fact that we need a sustainable and balanced growth," said Barack Obama.Answer today in Seoul.

ALSO READ:

"G20: Obama loses hand

"The hidden stakes in Seoul

"The world is in danger of bankruptcy, according to Lula

The "bulldozer" of Seoul will mark the G20

For many commentators, the eighth day of mobilization against pension reform scheduled for today, Saturday, akin to a "symbolic gesture". For the eighth time in two months, the unions called for a new day of event: 241 marches are planned in the area.

At midday, the Interior Ministry accounted 142,000 and 132 protesters rallies in France, he said surTwitter. Mobilization "No sharp decline compared to October 28. In Toulouse, the numbers game had already started this morning. Police estimated that the parades were attended by 13,000 people, while unions have identified 110,000.

The secretary general of the CGT, Bernard Thibault, said before the start of the procession in Paris that participation in Saturday's demonstrations against pension reform promised to "lower" than previous ones, but "probably beyond the million . "It is normal that there is a mobilization slightly lower, given the fact that the law was passed, for his part said Francois Chereque, secretary general of the CFDT, shortly before the start of the Paris demonstration, Republic Square.

Skepticism weighs in effect on the magnitude of the movement, now that the law was passed by parliament. The first six days of mobilization, including two held on a Saturday, have collected each time millions of people, according to unions, and around one million, according to police.But last October 28, following the vote marked a sharp reflux, with a peak split in half – 560,000 according to police, nearly two million according to the CGT-stop background of strikes, particularly in refineries.

In addition, differences on the effect of movement seem to appear between the unions. The CFDT, pessimistic, appears to outline a crisis while the CGT promises to go through. The number one of the CFDT, Francois Chereque, ruled Friday that the mobilization could now be "back" Nicolas Sarkozy, left to temper the enthusiasm of protesters. "On the subject of pensions, we will now move away slowly," he said on Canal +. "If I say today" we will roll back the president, "I do not think anyone would believe me. We say this, he dreams, "he added."We talked a lot about pensions because the government has accelerated the reform because of the crisis, now we return to the elements of the crisis: massive unemployment, youth unemployment, older, working conditions, the hardship, these are topics that will express in the coming months, "he said.

CGT: "A sequence that can not be that of renunciation"

The determination of the CGT remains rather intact. The organization will continue to mobilize, including whether the bargaining unit cracks, said its general secretary Bernard Thibault, Saturday, in L'Humanité. "Today represents a new high. There will be others. CGT will end up, "warned Bernard Thibault, who said" the movement is deeply installed in the country. " The secretary general of the CGT said that "laws are constantly subject to revision.""The social movement is entering a new sequence that can not be that of denial," he says, criticizing the fact that "some push for alternatives that are either, to give appointments to presidential elections, or to take for granted the rendezvous of 2013 set by the government to overhaul the pension system. "

The scope of the mobilization of Saturday will be scrutinized by the unions. It had reached agreement Thursday on a new "appointment" to mobilize between 22 and 26 November, the details of which will be set Monday. Government and unions have also staring at the Constitutional Council, by the PS, which must approve the reform by December 2.The President of the Republic may promulgate the law, which rejects 60 to 62 years the age of retirement and 65 to 67 years of age for a start at full rate, within 15 days of the downstream of Wise.

(With AFP)

ALSO READ:

"SPECIAL REPORT: The challenges of pension reform