International & World Report

A few weeks before the presidential, plant closures continue to mobilize the political sphere. That night, the Assembly has passed a law, called "Petroplus law" to prevent the diversion of assets of a company about to go bankrupt. At the initiative of the UMP, the bill also received the vote of the Socialist Party.

The purpose of this bill is to prevent a recurrence of the case Petroplus. Shortly before filing for bankruptcy, the Petit Couronne refinery in Seine-Maritime "saw its accounts in France emptied of all its cash by the banks of its parent company just hours before the bankruptcy filing," says Françoise Guégot, lead author of the text. If the "law Petroplus' is adopted, it will allow the commercial court to take measures such as seizing assets or sales of stock of a company, at the stage of liquidation, but also upstream, at the placed under receivership or backup instant payday loans.

And if the law has a good chance of being passed in the Senate today a socialist majority, the PS regretted the rejection of its amendments. PS wanted to compel a manufacturer to find a buyer when it disengages from a French factory, a proposal outlined by the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande when he visited the site of ArcelorMittal Florange. But the majority rejected these amendments that the government would "undermine free enterprise and property rights."

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In these times of rising unemployment and job losses, the announcement of the boss of Swatch watches clashes. To achieve its objective of turnover of 8 billion Swiss francs (6.64 billion euros), the group Swiss watchmaker wants in effect create a thousand new jobs worldwide this year.

"In Switzerland, we will certainly need at least 500 new employees. Globally, we are likely to create over 1,000 jobs, "said its chief executive, Nick Hayek, in an interview with Der Sonntag Sunday paper. But he added that "it is possible, if there is no political or economic disaster and that the exchange rate remains stable or even improves." In 2011, Swatch Group had already recruited about 2,800 people to support its activities on its key markets. Even in decline, the figure of a thousand recruits is good news and confirms the good health of the family business Payday advance.

For the global industry, the 2012 target is indeed rise above 8 billion Swiss francs in sales. Last year, Swatch has done better than market forecasts, with sales up 10.7%, to over 7 billion Swiss francs, or 5.81 billion euros (a first in its history) , while its profit has registered an increase of 18.1%, to 1.27 billion Swiss francs (1.05 billion euros).

The beginning of the year remains on an upward trend for the group (with a double digit growth) as for the entire industry watch Helvetic (whose exports rose 15.5% in January).

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Support for a vacation abroad

For a stay in the European Economic Area, the insured must request the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their health insurance. This card can benefit from support for medical care. To stay out of European Economic Area, only urgent care may be reimbursed.

Namely: to the extent that it is for the health insurance company to assess the emergency situation, it is necessary to keep all invoices and vouchers related to care.

Support through study abroad

If the country in which studies are conducted is part of the European Economic Area, the insured shall, as part of vacation, ask the European Health Insurance Card to receive a support of his medical .

If the country in which studies are conducted is not part of the European Economic Area, it is recommended, if the student is older than 20 years, to register with the Social Security system in the country. Another option is to join the Fund for French Abroad (CFE).

Note: The European Health Insurance Card is valid for one year. We must therefore consider whether to renew the studies exceed this duration.

The management of expatriates

Expatriates are the social security system of the country where they are sent. It is therefore often necessary to contribute to the plan mandatory country of expatriation to be properly supported.

Moreover, it is advisable to join the Fund for French Abroad, allowing to benefit from the French social security. This approach also avoids a significant waiting period upon return to France.

Support for pensioners living abroad

If the retirement takes place in a country of the European Economic Area, the insured must obtain form E 121 from his pension fund. This form allows you to receive the benefits of health insurance in the country.

If retirement occurs in a country not part of the European Economic Area, the insured must take out health insurance in this country to be supported. Again, it is also advisable to join the Fund of French Citizens Abroad.

Namely: better health insurance, it is prudent to purchase a mutual to cover the costs that are borne by the insured.

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It is this that opens Saturday in Paris, attended by President of the Republic, the annual agricultural show, which runs until March 4. A well-attended 49th edition, at least two months of the first round of the presidential election.

"This year is special, freely admits Beulin Xavier, the chairman of the agricultural union majority, FNSEA. Our women and politicians want to be seen at the show because it is a point of contact not only with the agricultural world, but also with all of our citizens. "In fact, it is the largest annual fair with French nearly 700,000 visitors over nine days, 1,000 exhibitors, 4,700 animals from all over France and even 37 other countries. By comparison, the Motor Show hosts 1 million visitors in two weeks, every two years. And agricultural fair in Berlin this year shows 420,000 visitors.

That's why after Nicolas Sarkozy, Bayrou will visit the show Sunday, followed Tuesday by François Hollande. Marine Le Pen, Jean-Luc Melenchon are also announced, as José Bové, and probably Joly.

This show opens in a social and economic context less bad than three years ago. "I am delighted to farmers for agriculture and for France," comments Nicolas Sarkozy in an interview published Friday by The agricultural France.

Black year

2009 has indeed been a bad year for farmers, whether farmers or grain. The average annual income of farmers has dipped to 14,500 euros. He has since recovered to 30,200 euros last year, with significant differences according to the productions. If growers have experienced the greatest improvement, with an average income of 56,000 euros, up almost 43%, producers of fruits and vegetables in reverse the rear with a fall of over 60% and an average of 10,100 euros. Breeders, who in 2009 had the milk strike, can smile again. Prices were maintained and revenue shows an increase of 16% to 30,000 euros on average.

Another plus, the French food trade surplus last year reached a record $ 11.4 billion. A result due to the three quarters in exports of wine and spirits! French exports of cereals are also the highest, after the defection of Russia and Ukraine last year on international markets.

France is thus the first European agricultural power, with a production of 65.8 billion euros. But this share has decreased over the past decade in favor of Germany and Holland. The Hexagon is a lack of competitiveness, particularly in terms of labor cost, which penalizes exports of fruits and vegetables. And it is not only Spain, which provoked the anger of French producers: Germany took the lead in the strawberry or asparagus, because of labor came from Central Europe, less expensive. Competitiveness is also a "major theme" of the show, warns Xavier Beulin.

In 2013, for its 50th edition, the show should take a different face. It will Porte de Versailles, but the animals, so far mostly gathered in the Hall 1, will be scattered elsewhere, to make way for large real estate project in the form of triangular tower.

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Property managers and Urbania Citya Wednesday announced their engagement. The two groups did not merge. Each retains its own identity and its shareholders. Urbania Citya and will constitute a common associative structure, called "Odyssey" and managed to parity. Located in different regions (West and Grand Citya for Paca and Ile-de-France and Rhône-Alpes for Urbania), they hope to achieve scale across France face the giants in the industry. "With this alliance, we will spend the second largest sector, behind Foncia, but before Nexity (Gestrim and Lamy)," claims Nicolas Jacquet, Executive Chairman of Urbania. Together, they manage batches of 600,000 condominiums as trustees (via 200 branches) and 120,000 in stewardship.

Both specialize in condominium hope modernize and optimize the management of their networks by cooperating in the development of tools, sharing of training of employees, development tools, customer service and promotion of mediation payday loans with no fax. Precursor, Urbania has already set up an independent ombudsman for handling customer disputes.

Investment projects

The two companies will also explore "possible cooperation in insurance, technical services and transactions (real estate)," the latter sector representing about 10% of their turnover. Although very independent, they have "joint investment projects," says Philippe Briand, founding president of Citya. Urbania, which was acquired in 2010 by the French investment company IPE (Investors in Private Equity), has other plans. "35 million will be injected into Urbania organic growth through use of own funds, bank loans and disposals of non core businesses," says Philippe Nguyen for his part, President of PEI.

The latter is also currently raising funds to "major institutional investors, sovereign funds and family offices" to develop Urbania in the field of property management in Europe.

Gone is the political consensus that prevailed in France last year about the need to save Greece. Tuesday, the Socialist deputies abstained on two bills used to be validated by France on European Stability Mechanism (SPM). And Socialist senators will do the same next week. With 500 billion euros, MES must nevertheless serve from July, firewall Standing against the sovereign debt crisis in the euro area.

Socialists do not disagree that the SS as the budgetary stability pact European carrier with greater discipline on public accounts. And they consider that the MES and form a pact. This treaty "as it stands today does not provide strong commitment to growth," said Tuesday, Jean-Marc Ayrault, president of the PS group in the Assembly. A position in line with that of Francois Hollande, who wants to renegotiate the December European, to add a section on growth.

Heavier debt

"The refusal of the Socialists to vote MES is a serious fault which shows their bigotry," retorted Tuesday, Francois Fillon before the UMP group. Anyway, the MES should be approved by France, the Assembly, dominated by the UMP, having the last word on a left-wing majority in the Senate.

The MES is the latest tools devised to solve the debt crisis. It will function as the EFSF (European Financial Stability Fund), it will eventually replace: it will borrow in the markets and then help the troubled country. These are the European countries which will mean the MES in equity, to 80 billion euros. France will contribute 16.3 billion by 2017, including 6.5 billion this year. This will weigh down all our debt, which has already reached 1.7 trillion. And this bill is not isolated.

As part of the first aid to Greece decided in spring 2010, France has already lent directly to the country 11.3 billion on a commitment of 16.8 billion euros. Public debt has been weighed down by 11.3 billion.

France will contribute more importantly, valued at 23.4 billion euros, the second Greek rescue plan which should amount to 107 billion euros for euro area Member States. The hex will help the European Financial Stability Fund, which lends to States in difficulties with the guarantee of the Member States. Its borrowings weigh down the public debt. Because of all the commitments of EFSF on Portugal, Ireland and Greece, the French public debt should be weighed down by 38.5 billion. So that the total bill for France's aid to European countries in difficulty should go well beyond 50 billion!

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Augustin de Romanet, the CEO of the Caisse des Depots, has accelerated the process. He announced on Monday its executive committee's choice for the interim awaiting the public institution. And it's Antoine Gosset-Grainville, the Deputy Director General of CDC, who will be driving.

In early January, Nicolas Sarkozy, on behalf of the Republic "blameless", announced he would not proceed to appoint the next Director General of the Deposit, in order that the decision to return the next president.

This announcement had two consequences. On the one hand, it implied that Augustine de Romanet, named by Jacques Chirac a lame early 2007, would not be renewed. Moreover, the Caisse des Depots would experience an interim period to its head, since the mandate of Augustin de Romanet ends March 7.  

The CDC's largest shareholder Veolia

By entrusting the keys to the house to Antoine Gosset-Grainville, Augustin de Romanet ensures continuity within the public institution. Come Francois Fillon's office, where he was deputy director, the current number two joined the Rue de Lille in May 2010, to drive key policy of the Fund and ensure its major shareholdings in the competitive sector in particular. It was he who was largely to maneuver on issues as sensitive as Dexia or transactions with Groupama.

The formalization of the interim under the CDC does not mean that Augustin de Romanet leave office now, it insists on the Deposit. Where we also states that it "was neither contacted nor was a candidate" to head of Veolia. Augustin de Romanet is a director of the group, which the Deposit is the largest shareholder with nearly 10% stake.

He holds the title to a significant power in the trench warfare that is installed in the heart of the board of the group. According to several sources, the former CEO of Veolia, Proglio, seeking to unload his successor Mr. Frérot. The Board scheduled on February 29 could be decisive, unless the epilogue does not expect the meeting of March 15.

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White smoke comes not yet held Monday in Brussels, where a decisive meeting of the Eurogroup on Greece. It comes from the Italian Presidency in Rome, and the headquarters of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.

After a phone conversation with Angela Merkel and Prime Minister of Greece Lucas Papademos, Friday, Mario Monti issued a statement encouraging: "At the end of this conversation, which came in the details and which was conducted in a constructive spirit, three participants were confident that an agreement on Greece can be reached Monday, the Eurogroup. "

So far, mistrust prevailed. Especially since the previous Eurogroup, on Greece, was canceled Wednesday. "This time, an agreement is likely," said Jean Pisani-Ferry, director of the Bruegel think-tank in Brussels. "Otherwise it's too late, there will master more technical details …", he adds.

The challenge of this size Eurogroup is: give Greece its private creditors and the green light to launch the second bailout of Greece, estimated at 130 billion euros, to avoid a default in Greek debt falls from 14.5 billion euros on March 20.

That Greece is committed to the reforms demanded by the troika, beyond the April elections, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands had planned mid-week to split the bailout to not pay, firstly, that the sum needed to rescue private, or 30 billion euros. 

Exchange of debt

But this scenario is complicated, difficult to read for the markets, has been criticized by the IMF and European lawyers, who see it as a source of additional blocking with private creditors, asked to relinquish 70% of the value of their securities. "This option is no longer on the table," said Deputy German Finance Minister, Thomas Steffen. "We are ready to have a solid basis for a decision Monday," says the German Finance Ministry in Berlin.

The European Central Bank has brought his stone to an eventual agreement. Its chairman, Mario Draghi, submitted Thursday night, the vote of the Governors, the exchange of 50 billion euros of Greek bonds, which should allow eventually to redistribute 12 billion euros to Greece, which allocated to debt repayment countries. For its part, the IMF would be willing to contribute to the new rescue plan by a loan of 13 billion euros, reported last night the Wall Street Journal on its website.

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The results of SNCF have suffered a severe movement of the plane. The benefit is indeed in free fall (-82%) to 125 million. The cons-performance is due to asset writedowns of 840 million euros, 700 million under its TGV. The operating margin, favored by management indicator, soared 41.2%, to 3.02 billion euros. However, it remains insufficient to cover the financing needs of the group's investment. On 14 February, the president of SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, unveiled to participants of a seminar on "business model TGV" that his group would carry out an impairment of € 700 million on its TGV . "The value of TGV, now in the books of the SNCF, amounts to nearly 4.5 billion euros," he said, according LaTribune.fr who reported his remarks Wednesday. We will depreciate the 700 million euros because we have too many trains and they are mostly old. "

The fleet has 457 SNCF trains whose average age is 17 years. This decision comes as the SNCF profitability of the branch TGV group – very profitable long – has deteriorated in recent years payday loan. An evolution largely attributed by the public company to the concomitant increase in tolls which it must pay with Réseau Ferré de France (RFF), owner of the tract. Since late last week, SNCF and RFF have agreed on changes in rates of tolls until 2018. Guillaume Pepy was this medium-term visibility a prerequisite for engaging in orders for new trains. He said Tuesday that such investments would only be possible when the operating margin of the travel industry would reach 20%. Or it tops out at 14% today.

Until 2015, the fleet will continue to welcome new trains: 15 "Euro Duplex" will be delivered by Alstom in 2012, 11 in 2013, 11 in 2014 and seven in 2015. According to its chief financial officer, David Azema, who intervenaitle February 15 parliamentary days when the rail is in fact particularly after 2025 that the station should replace trains end of life.

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SNCF is tackling the overweight of its agents. After a first test in Britain last year, the railway is to generalize the operation "healthier life". It is to screen for two years initially, employees overweight among 160,000 persons employed by the station, on the occasion of the annual medical examination.

Those whose body mass index (weight divided by height squared) is equal to or greater than 25 will be offered a health check and an accompanying weight loss. A nurse will provide dietary advice, encourage them to do the exercise … "But we do not force anyone to a diet," says the SNCF. For example, the BMI of a man measuring 1.70 meters and weighing 75 kg is 25.6.

In Britain, the operation was a success, according to public company. "Although the process may seem intrusive, weight and food hyiène being about the private sphere, it has been well received by agents. And those who agreed to forward scored, "says one to the station. Monthly monitoring, such an employee has lost 8 pounds in a few months.

Down 32% of all sick

The objective of the SNCF is not to go all the agents in a size 36. Based on the fact that overweight people suffer more than other health problems, including cardiovascular, the railway company, associated with its pension fund and its mutual health hopes to improve the health of its agents. With the prospect of filigree absenteeism and a turnover down.

Employee health is a growing business. Most major groups, as PSA, Axa and Danone, have established programs to this effect, which often include a nutrition component. Last October, a Gallup study amounted in effect the cost of overweight employees at U.S. $ 153 billion annually in lost productivity.