International & World Report

Attracted by the extraordinary growth of China, European companies are worried that Chinese law is hardened against them after the 2010 survey of business confidence (Business Confidence Study) published on Tuesday by the Chamber of EU in China.

80% of firms surveyed are optimistic about the growth of their sector in China. The country, which registered a growth of 11.9% in the first quarter of the year, "has become an even more important to their overall business strategy," reports the study.

But the good economic health is not enough to reassure European investors worried about the Chinese regulations.40% of respondents fear and regulations discriminate against foreign firms worsen in the next two years no fax pay day loan.Only 10% of survey participants say they are rather optimistic on the subject.

Specifically, the Europeans are worried "a discretionary application of laws and regulations, while the registration process, issues of intellectual property rights and inconsistencies in the local application of national criteria continue to be subjects of frustration ".

The study, European companies operating in China have a clear message to convey: their continued involvement in China as an investment is not unconditional and would be improved by a more clear and more predictable. "

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Nicolas Sarkozy delivering a public and unambiguous support his Minister of Labour. On Saturday, the president said he had "absolutely nothing wrong with Eric Woerth. "You can not blame him, it is an excellent minister," it was said at the Elysee. The previous evening, Eric Woerth had assured that he had "given no instructions to the tax authorities of any nature whatsoever not to engage in transactions of fiscal control in the case Bettencourt, suspected of tax evasion.

Three new revelations raise yet the question of the role of authorities in the case Bettencourt they were aware of alleged tax evasion of billionaire? If yes, what services were? Have they closed their eyes?

According to the weekly Marianne, the court was aware since 2008 of the possible tax evasion billionaire but failed to alert the tax authorities and has not triggered the investigation into the case. In support of these assertions, Marianne published in its Saturday edition of extracts from documents in the preliminary inquiry by the prosecutor in Nanterre, on the complaint of the daughter of Liliane Bettencourt cons photographer François-Marie Banier.

One of these pieces is a letter from François-Marie Banier to billionaire, dated May 19, 2005, where the artist makes reference to Arros Island, Seychelles. An island that he told him he "has to buy.But the tax on capital 2007 Lilliane Bettencourt, including Marianne also publishes an extract, made no mention of this island. But "the judiciary chose to close his eyes," says the weekly, indicating that the prosecution was under the legal obligation on the basis of these elements, "seize the treasury that it is launching an investigation" .

"Nothing has been hidden"

Contradicting these findings, the prosecutor Philippe Courroye said Friday that "tax administration was warned Jan. 9, 2009 that this issue was likely to highlight elements of tax evasion." "The administration is aware of all the evidence.Nothing has been overlooked, "said the prosecutor, adding that the prosecution could not decide alone to grab a result of tax evasion.

According to the website bakchich.info, Bercy could anyway not ignore the "chow" tax between the photographer and heiress. Indeed, says the site, the department has recovered in 2008 a list of 500 French tax evaders in Liechtenstein, including Francois-Marie Banier. The case of the latter was even transferred, according Bribe, to the National Audit tax situations (DNVSF), responsible for the peel. Two years later, there would always be.

A tax adjustment for Francois-Marie Banier

Labour Minister, Eric Woerth, has responded to this information have launched Friday by announcing in 2009, when he was Minister of Budget, fiscal control of the artist Francois-Marie Banier."There was a notice of recovery, accepted and resolved," said his lawyer Temime. "It is unrelated assets abroad or with the proceedings" on donations made by Ms. Bettencourt Francois-Marie Banier.

Asked on Friday on France Inter, Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said she was "very surprised" that the billionaire is not the subject of tax examinations regularly every three or four years, "as in the case for all very large estates.

On Saturday, the modem has meanwhile said it was "very difficult to drive an issue like pensions while being the subject of everyday revelations." Francois Bayrou who was speaking at a press briefing in the House, insisted: 'The French clearly see that there is a concern.There is a weakening of the government and all those who, in his name, driving a number of reforms. "

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While Wall Street and European markets suffered heavy losses Thursday, stock markets in the Asia-Pacific have taken the path down this Friday, a day after sitting flat.

Around 6.45 am, the Nikkei 225 abandoned nearly 2% to 9731 points, rapidly away from the 10,000 points mark. Consumer prices in Japan excluding perishables, fell 1.2% year on year in May, the fifteenth consecutive monthly decline, said Friday the Ministry of Home Affairs. Excluding not only nutrition, but also energy, consumer prices appear down 1.6% over one year.

Elsewhere, the mood is gloomy, with Hang Seng (Hong Kong Stock Exchange) that descends from 0.65% to 20,599 points, the S & P / ASX Australian yields 1.4% to 4417 points, and Straits of Singapore who drops more tentatively 0.1% to 2844 points.In India, the Bombay SE 30 was down 0.73% at 17,600 points.

The yuan continues to rise

In China, Shanghai fold from 0.69% at 20,590 points. On the eve of the G20 Toronto, Chinese President Hu Jintao called on Thursday for a fresh start and a strengthening of relations between China and Canada, despite some disputes.

The Central Bank of China has also set an exchange rate of yuan against the dollar lower on Friday, which means that the yuan appreciates.The institute has decided on a central parity of 6.7896 yuan against the dollar, 0.3% higher than the 6.8100 yuan to the dollar yesterday.

In its statement, the central bank said it wanted to keep the yuan "basically stable", a term required to show its willingness to avoid any sudden movement of the currency.

The oil also

Crude prices were up Friday in electronic trading in Asia, investors wanting to believe in some indicators better than expected in the United States despite doubts about the U.S. economy. The barrel is 76.65 dollars.

Thursday, across the Atlantic, new jobless claims in the U.S. fell for the first time in three weeks, more than expected, but the new orders for durable goods fell for the first time in six months in May from particular down by purchases in the aviation sector.

While overall European shares dropped after further bad news on the front real estate in the United States, and that Wall Street has resisted pretty well Wednesday night despite some optimism about the Fed on the resumption of the Atlantic, Asian markets have chosen an upward trend on Thursday.

Around 6.45 am, the Nikkei 225 0.74% ahead of 9996 points, the threshold of 10,000 points. Elsewhere, the trend is less clear, with Hang Seng (Hong Kong Stock Exchange), which has assembled 0.5% to 20,867 points a Straits of Singapore which is also timidly 0.07% to 2873 points.

In India, the Bombay SE 30 allows itself 0.38% to 17,823 points.

In Australia, the S & P / ASX wins 0.31% to 4499 points, worn by mining, which have the hope that the new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, could soften under a new tax on super profits of these companies .

Rio Tinto (2.23% to 72.1 Australian dollars) and BHP Billiton (1.89% to 39.9 AUD) are also considering a price increase of over 30% of iron ore in the third quarter.

Japan trade surplus less than expected

Japan's trade surplus grew by 15.2% in May over one year to 324,200,000,000 yen (EUR 3 billion), thanks to strong exports to Asia and emerging markets.A smaller than expected increases (50% expected), however, shows that trade in the country have suffered from the crisis in Europe.

In May, exports surged 32.1% year on year to 5.311 billion yen, helped by strong sales abroad of machinery (+42.6%) and cars (45.9% )

Exports to China increased notably (25.3%) and other Asian countries such as Thailand (73.3%), Indonesia (73.5%) and Malaysia (57, 1%) low fee payday loans. They have also increased to India (+52.1%), Brazil (+47.8%) and especially Russia (177.1%).

Imports have increased their share from 33.4% to 4,986.8 billion yen.

Yuan steady

The Chinese central bank set a central parity of the yuan virtually unchanged from Thursday to Wednesday.This meant the weekend its intention to revive a system of exchange rates more flexible. And mercreid Tuesday and hit the central parity, which it fixes every day and around which the exchange rate dollar / yuan may vary by plus or minus 0.5%.The yuan has begun to appreciate since Monday.

The institution has decided on a course of 6.8100 yuan against the dollar, instead of 6.8102 yuan to one dollar a day, according to a statement available on its website.

Oil down

Crude prices have continued to drop Thursday (76.16 dollars) in electronic trading in Asia, driven by anxiety about U.S. demand, world's largest consumer.

The latest indicators from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) showing an increase of two million barrels in crude inventories have worried investors, who had forecast a decline of one million barrels in the week concluded on June 18 This increase in weekly crude oil inventories reported in effect weakening demand.

From our correspondent in London

With 155 billion pounds (186 billion euros) and 11% of GDP this year, the UK deficit is the highest in the G20. In response to this near disaster on young British finance minister George Osborne, this Tuesday, on the occasion of his "emergency budget" the austerity plan the hardest since the Second World War. Cuts so severe that many economists are concerned about its negative effect on growth.

The austerity is announced in the British house-to-false vis-à-vis Barack Obama, who wrote the G20 leaders to ask them to continue to support the recovery."Countries have different approaches, and in some countries like ours, there is a need to tackle the deficit and reduce it more quickly," argued on Monday, a spokesman for Downing Street 10.

To divide by four the structural deficit by 2014-2015, the government of David Cameron must find at least 88 billion pounds (106 billion euros), reducing government expenditure but also by increasing taxes . This effort far exceeds the level of 80 billion euros announced by Berlin and promises to be the largest of the major European countries.The savings could reach 34 billion pounds (41 billion euros) in the first year, equivalent to 2.4% of GDP.

Since taking office Prime Minister, David Cameron, communicate each week on budget cuts, "whose impact will last for years, perhaps decades, that will win the country to avoid being in a situation similar to that of Greece. The Treasury is fear of being penalized by the rating agencies and losing its AAA rating, which would explode the cost of refinancing the country.

Taxes on capital gains

If George Osborne is expected to announce Tuesday the total austerity plan, details of the cuts by department will not be released until this fall. Rumors point to a decline of 25% of expenditure in the budget of Defense. But tax increases will be unavoidable, experts say.The new fees will concentrate on the richest. Under pressure from its partners the Liberal Democrats, George Osborne should also increase the tax on capital gains for individuals, 18% to 40% or even 50%, while the tax rate to 50% highest income is not questioned. "The VAT is expected to increase by 17.5% to 20%, moving closer to the European average, which would yield 12 billion pounds per year (14 billion euros)," said Brian Hilliard, economist at Societe Generale.

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The signing took place in presence of Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Saturday in St. Petersburg, Russian promoter Hermitage is committed by a Memorandum of Understanding with the EPAD to build by early 2016 two towers of 91 floors of a new kind of defense. Today, the skyscraper highest in the business district tu 220 m The twin towers designed by architect Norman Foster-star will climb to 323 m, "a meter below the Eiffel Tower to avoid offending local sensitivities," says Emin Iskenderov, CEO of Hermitage. Importantly, this will be the first high-rise (high rise buildings) mixed in France combining housing, offices and shops.With the key equipment in unprecedented tours: a theater of 1,300 seats, a contemporary art gallery, a five star hotel, restaurants, swimming pools, a student residence …

As for the apartments have a spectacular view of Paris, they will be positioned in the niche market of luxury with a price of 12,000 euros per square meter. A challenge for Defence is not today a prestigious address for individuals and Parisians are not rushing to live in towers.

Introduced in March 2009, the Hermitage Plaza project has also met with some suspicion among the French real estate professionals. First, because this promoter Russia has never built a tower in France. Then because it is a huge operation to two billion euros.

Buildings slated for demolition

But since then, Hermitage has provided some safeguards.Including funding. "We have already invested $ 150 million, Emin Iskenderov details. And in all, we will bring 250 to 280 million euros in equity. Furthermore, we are in advanced discussions with a pool of European banks to grant us a credit line of 700 million. And the marketing of our area we will bring the remaining one billion euros. "According to our information, Hermitage is also negotiating with the Four Seasons hotel group to host one of its locations in the towers. On the marketing of 540 apartments, Emin Iskenderov was also very confident: "I have already received 3,200 letters of prospects who want to buy from us."

Another thorny issue: the relocation of 250 families who lived in the buildings slated for demolition to build the towers Plaza. For now, Hermitage has found a solution for 235 to 250.That leaves five families to relocate in the year. A task is not insurmountable. But there is still a few steps before this project happen. In late July, demand for building permits will be filed. It should be granted in early 2011. And work should start right away. With delivery scheduled for late 2015-early 2016.

Advertising on Mediapart, illegal recordings of Liliane Bettencourt and its asset manager, Patrice de Maistre, have not finished splashing the heir to L'Oreal. Besides the suspicion of interventions Labour Minister Eric Woerth for Liliane Bettencourt, the records reveal the existence of two bank accounts based in Switzerland, which houses are owned by Liliane Bettencourt, amounting to nearly 80 million.

"I'm leaving in Switzerland just now to fix things. He does not let you be caught before Christmas, "says the richest woman in France Patrice de Maistre. The asset manager refers to the agreement on taxes in the summer of 2009 between France and Switzerland that the Swiss authorities should lift banking secrecy in cases of suspected fraud in a French taxpayer.It was originally scheduled to come into force on 1 January 2010.

To protect itself from a tax audit, Patrice de Maistre therefore plans to transfer to an account, funded to the tune of "12 to 13 million euros" in Singapore "in Singapore because they can not ask" . The same for the second account, an amount, this time, 65 million euros. "I'm planning the fact of sending in a country other than Switzerland: Hong Kong, Singapore and Uruguay advance online payday. That way you'll be quiet. [...] Many people now bring money in France, but for you, I do not believe it, "says he.

An island paradise unreported

These two accounts are not the only treasures hidden heir to L'Oreal mentioned by recordings made at the initiative of his butler.Liliane Bettencourt also owns an entire island of Seychelles, informally offered the photographer François-Marie Banier through a foundation. "I also considered the fact that you declare your island to France, then explains Patrice de Maistre. But again, I think that we should not do it because it's too complicated. I fear that the tax takes a thread.

Counsel for Mr Kiejman Liliane Bettencourt, who also filed a complaint for invasion of privacy, theft and perjury, preferred not to comment Friday on the content of such records. "On the one hand, I do not exclude that they have been tampered with.And secondly, I do not wish to comment on records obtained illegally and are therefore of a criminal nature, "today said the AFP Mr Kiejman.

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Spain, drawn into the same tub as Greece, is an emergency that Europe would have gone well. The Twenty-Seven, which are at the summit in Brussels on Thursday, hoping to overcome the crisis of the euro and the purging of public finances. Clearly, raising the horizon and talk to new growth and employment.

Not a chance for those who preach another message that the turns of the screw and the bailout: it is once again under pressure from the markets that European leaders will have to prove themselves. The "economic government", a body that lacks even a roadmap, build the first German thoroughness prior to use in French voluntarism.

Not surprisingly, the centerpiece of this one-day session will be "the strengthening of budgetary discipline," according to the draft final declaration.With incentives but also early and graduated sanctions for those who violate it. Challenging the susceptibilities of national parliaments, the political body of the EU will also confirm the introduction in the first half of 2011 a collective monitoring of budget proposals from each Member State.

To this arsenal already included in the text, could add further punishment policy, advanced Monday by Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy: the suspension of voting for the worst offenders. The rest of the EU has not yet ruled. Probably necessary, modification of treaties implies unanimity.

Question of credibility approach on the G20 in Toronto, the bloc wants to take the rut European financial regulation.Despite the effects of repeated ad since 2008, the new architecture of banking supervision remains stalled with Parliament, as the framework for hedge funds, including hedge funds.

Tax on banks

The Commission, it has not yet formulated its code for derivatives (CDS and selling). On both fronts, the summit will mark her impatience. It will push the flames of a European tax on banks and, perhaps, a tax on financial transactions desired by Paris and Berlin.

So busy filling the gaps in the past, EU leaders will find good reasons to expect with the confirmed entry of Estonia into the euro in 2011 and the opening of negotiations almost gained entry to Iceland EU.But the chapter devoted to the crisis and the real upturn in business, hoping next year is looking pretty thin.

The Twenty-Seven "finalize" the growth strategy adopted by the Commission for ten years. It assumes, for each country, employment goals, training, research, "social inclusion" and the fight against global warming. Originally called "EU 2020, this catalog has been renamed for a good cause: it is now" The new European strategy for jobs and growth ". But she does not elaborate on how to restart the machine.

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There will indeed be a case Boutin. François Fillon has ruled Tuesday: his ministers will no longer entitled to combine their ministerial allowance and a pension of retired. Former Secretary of State for Housing had indeed stirred controversy last week about his double pay, perceived to be a member retired and in charge of a mission by the government. The head of government, which has already announced that future ban to UMP deputies should soon write to his ministers "asking them to suspend payment of their parliamentary pension.

In support of this decision, Francois Fillon cites the constitutional amendment of July 2008, under which ministers can automatically return to Parliament when they leave government.A provision making, as the Prime Minister, "illogical" the possibility of combining the two sources of income. In addition Christine Boutin, who had already announced it will conduct its mission on globalization gracefully, several ministers are concerned by the ban. Michele Alliot-Marie, Roselyne Bachelot, Raincourt Henry, Patrick Devedjian and Jean-Marie Bockel, all former MPs and sixties, are particularly targeted.

The system of parliamentary reform

Other collateral victims of this controversy: the parliamentarians. While the government prepares to unveil on Wednesday morning, the pension reform, it intends to show that employees are not the only ones making sacrifices. Labour Minister Eric Woerth said Monday and hoped to redesign the system of retirement benefits for parliamentarians.A device that allows them to reach thirteen months of retirement a year and, thanks to a dual assessment, a full pension after 22.5 years in office. "We need the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly clearly announce a reform in the coming days," Had he then served.

Message received by the President of the National Assembly, Bernard Accoyer. Tuesday at the antenna of Europe 1, he has indeed supported the abolition of dual assessment under which assessed one year is worth two "exceptional measures were intended to be removed without delay." A working group will be established soon on a floor Wednesday to reform the system applies this fall.

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While experts from the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are in Athens to verify accounts of the Greek state and the status of the austerity plan, the Paris stock exchange continues the momentum of last week, where the CAC 40 had returned upward, three consecutive sessions, breaking a cycle initiated since April 16 last and prevented systematically aligning more than two consecutive increases. The CAC 40 in advance of 0.79% to 3583 points at the opening and exceeds the threshold of 3600 points. Although nothing is played, far from it. But in recent days, the indices seem more determined to resume the upward path. Trading volumes, including the Paris Bourse, were provided over the last week. The CAC 40 climbed beyond 3,600 points, a course that is almost a record a month.At midday, the index feature of the Paris Stock Exchange gained 1.46% to end at 3607.30 points.

On other markets in Europe, the trend is upward. In London, the Footsie took almost 1% to 5213 points this morning and gained further 0.64% to 5196.59 points shortly after noon. In Frankfurt, the Dax clinching the outset more than 1%, and still earning 1.23% to 6122.17 points in mid-day.

On Friday, the CAC 40 gained just over 1% to just over 3555 points. On Wall Street, the Nasdaq has also allowed U.S. markets finished the week on a positive note after economic indicators, however, mixed.

After a particularly bloody month of May for all equity markets, investors believe, however, that European markets are undervalued.This could naturally incite bargain hunting and so restoring the energy markets.

The start of the week is very quiet with a single statistic, Europe, the industrial production of the Euro Area in April. The agenda will be fleshed out, however, more tomorrow, with a range of indicators on the U.S. real estate, consumption and inflation. The speech of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday, will also be very influential.

On the foreign exchange market, the strengthening of the euro, long stuck in the $ 1.21, was confirmed this morning – it is trading at 1.2183 dollars against 1.2077 on Friday. The euro is close to $ 1.22 in the wake of the stock market, and good resolutions are shown in deficits on both sides of the Rhine, pending the meeting between Merkel and Sarkozy, this evening after missed appointments Monday .

Values follow

Club Med

The title is featured on Monday, clinching 7.54% to 13.55 euros. Chinese Fosun Group has acquired 7.1% stake in Club Med, where he has a director.

This is the beginning of the conquest of the Chinese market for Club Med. A promising market as the tourism industry in China is driven by a double-digit growth for ten years. The two companies also announce the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in the field of construction and operation of 'quality resorts'haut Guaranteed pay day loans. Friday, closing, Club Med's share jumped from 9.4% to 12.6 euros on the publication of a half-year net profit of 3 million Euros.

Societe Generale

The action jumps from 3.59% to 34.93 euros.Crédit du Nord, a subsidiary of Societe Generale, and BPCE entered into exclusive negotiations for the acquisition by Crédit du Nord, Société Marseillaise de Credit a little over 870 million euros. An operation that was in the pipes for several weeks and was formalized this morning before the opening of the Parisian market. The amount of the transaction is exactly 872 million euros, net dividend for 2009 (for the seller). The CMS was acquired, with other regional banks to HSBC by BPCE in 2008. It has 144 branches and 200,000 customers in southern France. With this transaction, Credit du Nord confirms its strategy of development in the banking system nearby.

Axa

The insurer (3.13% to 13.52 euros) confirmed the sale of part of its life insurance business in the United Kingdom.The buyer, Resolution Group, is prepared to pay 3.3 billion euros to get their hands on this activity. Axa will keep activities damage, life insurance and individual savings. The transaction currently under discussion provides for a lump sum sales of 2.75 Billion Pounds (about 3.3 billion euros). The insurer, however, remember that there is no certainty that current discussions lead to an agreement, note analysts at BNP Paribas.

Renault

Automaker (2.56% to 31.40 euros) should benefit from the information supplied on the weekend by its Russian partner Avtovaz plans to return to the green this year after heavy losses in 2009.The first constructor Russian head out of the water, enjoying the scrappage.

Veolia

The subsidiary of Veolia Water Environment (+1.10% at 21.16 euros) announces the signing of an agreement for the resumption of certain activities of United Utilities Group in Europe. Veolia Water would control Sofiyska Voda company in charge of utilities and water treatment in the city of Sofia, Bulgaria, serving 1.3 million inhabitants, of which Veolia Water would own 58%.

TF1

TF1 wins 1.96% to 12.21 euros. The subsidiary of the Bouygues group (1.23% to 35.770 euros) recorded Friday night at the game of the World Cup Soccer, France, Uruguay, its best audience of 2010. Viewers were 15 million to their desks on Friday night and even 18 million over the end of the meeting."This is the best audience of the Year for TF1 and the 15th best audience for a football game since the inception of Médiamat-Médiamétrie," insists the chain.

LVMH

LVMH gleaning 0.09% to 91.99 euros. Bank of America Merrill Lynch lowered its recommendation on the luxury group and its parent company, Christian Dior (0.63% to 83.23 euros).