Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

The war in Libya has already cost 50 million

May 6, 2011 - 4:24 am Comments Off

A month and a half after the start of hostilities, the war in Libya has already cost 50 million euros to France. Gerard Longuet, the defense minister, that figure dropped Tuesday before the Committee on National Defence, says Les Echos.

The invoice missiles fired by fighter planes is around 30 million euros each cruise missile costing nearly a million. We add the operating costs of aircraft: the flight time of a Rafale is estimated at 40,000 euros and time response of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to 50,000 euros. Premiums paid to military also weigh on the bill, amounting to nearly 10 million.

The war is not over and the cost of operations should increase if the conflict stalled. But whatever the final cost of these unforeseen expenses will be funded.The budget of the Ministry of Defence was counting on 900 million euros for external operations in 2011, an amount identical to that of 2010, with approximately $ 500 million for Afghanistan. Of this amount, 630 million euros have been budgeted and 50 million are expected from the UN, says Les Echos. Thus, 220 million are already short and we must add the cost of expenditures in Libya. Part of the money spent in Libya are at present drawn from the budgets of the military trainings that may not be sufficient, however. Time and budget constraints, the sum could be more difficult to refinance.

To international funding Libyan rebels

The "contact group" on Libya has agreed Thursday on the creation of a mechanism of financial support to insurgents fighting against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.The special fund will be temporary "operational within the next few weeks," said the head of French diplomacy Alain Juppe, after a group meeting in Rome. "The temporary funding mechanism set in Doha is now well defined" so as to be "operational in the coming weeks," said the French minister told reporters.

After the announcement of the participation of the United States, France "also define" the height of his contributions soon, he added.

The National Transitional Council (CNT) formed by the insurgent wants to be granted loans totaling two to three billion dollars to cover its needs for food and medicines, to ensure essential services in areas it controls and to pay salaries.About 250 million has "already" been collected for humanitarian aid to Libya, said the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.

This request has so far been examined carefully in the Western embassies, particularly because of legal obstacles that the Rome meeting was intended to circumvent.

The administration formed by the insurgents is far recognized only by France, Italy and Qatar.

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The Manager Finance DNCA soon under the American flag

April 30, 2011 - 3:36 pm Comments Off

A shareholder in American control will succeed one Italian: according to our information, the management company DNCA Finance is about to be bought by private equity firm TA Associates. The transaction values ​​between 300 and 400 million euros the French firm high of 5.5 billion euros of assets under management.

Banca Leonardo, the bank's business Gerardo Braggiotti owns nearly 70% of DNCA Finance which he had joined in 2006, continues its focus. The Italian bank will remain the capital of the management company, up to 10%. Jean-Charles Mériaux, patron management DNCA Finance, and Joseph Chatel, president, will remain second and third respectively shareholders of the firm.A share capital will also be reserved for employees, present and future of the management company established in 2000.

DNCA Finance, which manages a range of 10 French and Luxembourg UCITS, has based its development especially in the booming wealth management advisors. His new shareholder is an investment fund Boston, which already owns British fund manager Jupiter Asset Management. TA Associates, the head of funds totaling $ 16 billion of capital, fired on all cylinders. He just announced this week its entry into the capital of a management firm Stadion American Money Management, but also an investment in Bigpoint, the German tenor of online games.

Faurecia grows thanks to America

April 19, 2011 - 2:32 pm Comments Off

Faurecia, located in 33 countries with 238 plants has grown steadily over the first quarter. Its consolidated sales amounted to 3.963 billion euros, up 23.7% (+15% at constant exchange rates) over the first quarter of 2010, according to a statement released Tuesday. The turnover of 135.9 million includes Faurecia euros Plastal Germany and 46.7 million euros of consolidated Plastal Spain in April and October 2010. As for the activities of Angell-Demmel, taken by Faurecia January 1, 2011, their contribution to revenues is 17.5 million euros in the first three months of 2011.

It is thanks to its core auto parts – that the group, held 57.4% by PSA Peugeot Citroën has achieved this strong performance.Sales of parts and components for car manufacturers have exceeded 3.1 billion euros, or 23% increase over first quarter 2010 (+13% at constant exchange rates). Sales of tools for R & D and prototypes have risen a bit slower pace of 18% (2% at constant exchange rates) to 214.5 million euros.

Growth through American countries and Asia

The increased activity of Faurecia has been particularly strong in North America: +34.7% (+31.1% at constant exchange rates). This increase, especially noticeable in sales of catalysts is related to the purchase in 2010 by the American Faurencia MSCOM Technologies, specializes in controlling emissions.

Among emerging markets, Faurecia is a sales increase of 32.8% in South America (23.9% at constant exchange rates) and 29.1% in Asia (23.2% at constant rates exchange rates). The strongest sales in China jumped (+25.5%), with two Chinese joint ventures of Faurecia, which enable it to provide exterior parts of automotive vehicles for Chinese low-end.

At the Paris Bourse, the results were appreciated by investors. An hour after the start of trade, as Faurecia rose 3.66% to 25.6 euros on a market reopens after falling up to 2.35% on Monday.

Shale gas: defense industrial

April 16, 2011 - 10:32 pm Comments Off

If the state seems determined to bury the projects to exploit gas and oil shale, it is not the same industry. Total and after the oil is now up to CEO of GDF Suez, Gerard Mestrallet, to speak on the subject. Voices in the columns, the leader regretted that "France turns the page on shale gas before opening it."

The government has indeed done an about-face on the subject. Faced with a growing mobilization against the exploitation of these deposits to potentially harmful to the environment, the prime minister on Wednesday urged the cancellation of the exploration license. In March 2010, Jean-Louis Borloo, Minister of Ecology, had authorized the search of these gases "unconventional" in the basement French Three licenses were awarded, one in Total and two other group Texas Schuepbach associated with GDF Suez.

Impact on prices

It is not certain that there are industrial. They surf on rising fuel prices to justify further research in this area. The CEO of GDF Suez and in Les Echos argues that "France will freeze gas prices on one side and the other refuses to produce shale gas. I recall that if natural gas is cheap in the U.S., thanks to unconventional gas. "

Same story at Total. In a recent interview in Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France, oil group's CEO, Christophe de Margerie said that gasoline prices will continue to blaze to 2 euros lellitre super and that this development necessitates the search other energy sources.It specifically targets the shale gas, "We can not defend one side of the security of supply in France, and the other, prohibit the exploration of these famous shale gas. How can we make a final decision without even knowing if this gas is present in the French soil and if it is usable? "

"An operation" clean "is possible"

Similarly, Gerard Mestrallet advocates a continuation of research, also on methods of extracting these gases. "To conclude that we will never be able to develop clean technologies to exploit shale gas, there is not as scientific as I would not cross," said the officer saving account payday loan. Total goes further. Courmes Bruno, director of Total Shale Gas in Europe, the Group subsidiary dedicated to oil shale gas, is "sure to offer a holding" clean "of shale gas."

Cleaner technology and less controversial, would bring the Prime Minister, currently opposed to the exploitation of shale gas, to review its position: "There is no question of closing the door to technological advances that allow for future access to new energy resources ", has underlined Francois Fillon during his speech in favor of cancellation of licenses already granted. A scientific research mission on the possibilities of exploiting these deposits with other technologies is ongoing.

No credible alternative for the moment

Except that it may take time. Asked by lefigaro.fr, Total acknowledges that, at present, there is no alternative to the hydraulic fracturing technique implemented by the Texas Haliburton. An efficient method known but the effects are harmful to the environment.This method aims to create small earthquakes over 2000 meters before injecting large amounts of water and chemicals to extract the fuel. The film Gasland shock, the Oscar-nominated 2011 – which had a significant effect on protest movements – really demonstrates what can be the impact on drinking water, air quality and public health of this method extraction.

Cap on foreign

And France, a "National Day of Action" against the shale gas to take place this weekend. It might then be that manufacturers are turning abroad. Total has also finalized an agreement with CNPC-PetroChina to operate an unconventional gas field in Inner Mongolia and the group has two exploration permits for shale gas in Denmark and six in Argentina.Remains whether the environmental impact of the same technique is different from one country to another.

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NicOx Exchange welcomes agreement with Ferrer

March 19, 2011 - 11:56 am Comments Off

Naproxcinod is not dead. That's what investors seem to say this Friday, while the French biotechnology company NicOx, and Spain's Grupo Ferrer Announce an option to license the molecule NicOx 'lead. This product, a treatment against osteoarthritis of the knee and hip, was developed by NicOx for 15 years, and could be co-marketed by the Spanish in Germany and Spain. In these markets, biotech remains free to enter into agreements with other partners. Grupo Ferrer could also sell the product exclusively this time, Greece and Portugal.

This type of partnership between laboratories and biotech is quite common, while the latter, the new pool of pharmaceutical research and development, have not most of the time the business skills to sell their product.Still, the agreement between the two groups is a license option, the exercise remains subject to the approval of Naproxcinod potential on the European market. A record of the authorization (MA) was introduced in December 2009 with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which should make its decision around mid-2011. "Ferrer could decide not to exercise the option even in cases where the Naproxcinod would be approved" also stipulates the joint communique of the two groups, illustrating the fragility of the partnership.

A "deal" of 7 million euros

Naproxcinod If approved, NicOx may receive 7 million euros from its partner, put in crossings of regulatory and commercial milestones, upon approval and based on sales in the form of royalties.However, a number that must be weighed against the EUR 150 million has spent to develop the biotech Nice product.

At the Paris Bourse, the title historically very volatile, advanced 9.5% at midday, to 2.40 euros, after having soared by 12% at the opening, investors betting on a leave of product on the Old Continent. A stock surge more powerful than the title, is now scrapped. Object of speculation, it was close again early in 2007 to 25 euros, the market relying on the ability of Naproxcinod to exceed one billion dollars in sales. Since then, the regulatory environment has tightened, and U.S. health authorities have refused registration in the U.S., where Naproxcinod had the biggest sales potential, causing the meltdown of the title.NicOx has challenged the decision, but shall probably conduct new clinical trials cost time and money if he wants to win at all costs the United States.

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MPs want to marry the AEF in France Televisions

March 10, 2011 - 11:44 pm Comments Off

The idea is gaining ground among the MPs who are working on the reform of broadcasting outside France (AEF). Christian Kert Didier Mathus and the two members co-rapporteurs of the mission on the AEF chaired by Michèle Tabarot (UMP) examine opportunities to "secure the international structure to France Televisions. "The public group could act as a reception center," commented Christian Kert cautious reminder that this idea had already been in development a few years ago before the report of Bernard Brochand not advocating the creation of a structure autonomous as it currently exists.

For the UMP deputy of the Bouches du Rhone, "this would be a more natural affiliation to Agence France Presse that the kinship with less obvious". In addition it would minimize a number of issues raised by Bercy interviewed by the Mission information.They have indeed outlined, in very diplomatic language, virtually impossible for shareholders is the state of having a clear idea of ​​the financial situation of the AEF. That because of the difficulties of current governance. "This explains that the contract objectives and resources with the State which is under construction since 2008 is still not finalized in 2011."

Spun, the AEF would clear up his accounts, but also its costs down, especially in terms of labor costs. MPs recall in effect, that "the two leaders of the AEF – Christine Ockrent and Alain de Pouzilhac – are as well paid as the president of France Televisions, while sizes of companies are not really equivalent. Moreover, it would mean that the Foreign Ministry would no longer directly on the frontline. This, according to people close to the dossier, would not displease him.If at this stage, Pflimlin Remy, president of France Televisions had not commented on this event, he would not, however, vetoed such a possibility. France Televisions is already a 25% shareholder of EuroNews, the European news channel.

But several issues remain pending. MPs do not rule out completely unravel the AEF and thus halt the merger France 24 and RFI. In such a case, France would be only 24 in the bosom of France Televisions while international radio remain independent unless it is linked to Radio France. It now remains whether the public broadcasting group, itself full internal reform, will be able to absorb a new entity.

Finally parliamentarians who know that time is running will not be content to appraise the mechanic of the AEF.They also intend to look at the editorial aspect of the chain and its developments abroad. All responses will be made in early July.

Jean-Pierre Jouyet wants more women to the AMF

March 3, 2011 - 3:52 am Comments Off

In late May, six of the sixteen members of the College of AMF should be renewed. The opportunity for the president's stock market watchdog, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, placing governments to their responsibilities in terms of parity. "We must be consistent with what we proposed or imposed by law," said Jean-Pierre Jouyet in Le Figaro.

In 2016, boards of directors of large companies will have 40% women. College of the MFA, they are now … two. "It would take at least five" in the eyes of its chairman, who called for those, starting with the Minister of Economy, who will appoint the six future members.Jean-Pierre Jouyet same ideas profiles that could be the case, they run businesses (Dominique Heriard-Dubreuil at Remy Cointreau or Stéphane Pallez, France Telecom) manage funds (Isabelle Bouillot) are derived from academia (Marie-Anne-Frisian Roche).

Chairman of the AMF also cites the example of Michele Monavon which unites the employee shareholders.

Mediator: the top seeds fall to AFSSAPS

February 27, 2011 - 8:28 am Comments Off

The new boss of the French Agency for Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS), Dominique Maraninchi had set the tone last week. He had planned to clean up the agency. The goal is to reset the counters to zero after the scandal of the Mediator, the drug marketed Servier Laboratories between 1976 and 2009 in France and who would, according to various studies, caused the deaths of 500 to 2000 people. Fifteen months of the presidential election, the mission entrusted by Xavier Bertrand, Minister of Health for the former president of the National Cancer Institute, is to restore French confidence in the authorities who are responsible for the health public including Afssaps supposed to be the policeman of the drug.And of course, avoid at all costs a new health scandal.

According to our information, the names of the first people who will be excluded were communicated. He is the head of risk monitoring and usage of the drug, Anne Castot, and the Head of the Department of Pharmacovigilance, Carmen Kreft-Jais. They leave their duties in the month of June. In taking this decision, the executive director of the agency's target drug pharmacovigilance, expected to monitor the risks of the drug and failed for over thirty years with the Mediator. However, it does not question the experts in charge of permits on the market (AMM) that they decide whether to give a laboratory green light to start marketing a product but also to suspend instant payday loan.However, the MA committee has not shone in the case of this drug for diabetics who are overweight but widely misused as an appetite suppressant. Belgium had decided in 1977 not to authorize the Mediator due to its anorectic effects.

Blacklisting

"You have fuses, lamp-! Anne Castot and Carmen Kreft-Jais had a head above them, "says one expert Afssaps. A view shared by many agency scientists. "We're doing the blame solely pharmacovigilance. However, in the late 1990s, our specialty had identified the effects that this drug could have (our editions of Dec. 2, 2010). By cons, in 2007, the Board authorized placing on the market explained that the risk-benefit balance was in favor of the Mediator!, "Protested another expert.The MA committee has not classified as an anorectic drug, which would have earned a withdrawal from the market in the late 1990s.

"The issue is not to knock heads, but there is a problem in pharmacovigilance compared to what happened with the Mediator," explains Dominique Maraninchi his side who says wanting to "protect" Anne Castot and Carmen Kreft-Jais' the exposure they have suffered. " The decision to blacklist pharmacovigilance comes as some regional centers (France into account 31) would be endangered.

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Charity credit cards are as lucrative as generous

February 24, 2011 - 5:52 am Comments Off

The year 2010 was marked by a wave of bank cards say charity or solidarity in the portfolios of the French. Last launch date, the European Private Bank (OCA) officially presented in late January its "generous offer" in partnership with the Institut Pasteur. The offer, dubbed Altruis BPE, can automatically trigger donations of 0.50, 1 or 2 per transaction from his bank card, a MasterCard Gold card bearing the image of Louis Pasteur, for any payment of more than 20 euros high risk personal loans. "We offer our customers a simple way to get involved and different, with us in a great cause that affects us all and we are happy to defend," said Etienne-Marie Airiau, Director General of BPE.

The credit card of BPE, the portrait of Louis Pasteur, the latest arrival on the card market charities.

BNP / SocGen: Gbagbo commandeers subsidiaries

February 19, 2011 - 4:36 am Comments Off

French banks bear the brunt of the deepening of the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire. Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo out, trying to stay ahead of the state and against the last presidential election, has announced last night on public television RTI "on decrees that the State of Côte Ivory took control by taking a full and complete participation in the capital of some banks. These include the SGBCI and Bicic, which are subsidiaries of Ivorian French banks BNP Paribas and Societe Generale.

His decision is to "preserve jobs and ensure the access of Ivorians and traders to their assets" in "as soon as possible." France has "condemned" the "nationalization" of banks, through the voice of the spokesman of Foreign Ministry.The two French banks have their part to comment the intentions of Laurent Gbagbo.

Financial asphyxiation

Following the post-election crisis, born of the struggle between Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and outgoing Alassane Ouattara, President-elect acknowledged by much of the international community, the Central Bank of African States (BCEAO ) has severed its ties with Abidjan in January to try to suffocate the Gbagbo regime. This isolation has closed the financial tap francs CFA president.Far from giving up, Laurent Gbagbo attempted to mount a viable banking system across Ivory Coast, the price of a "huge pressure" on the subsidiaries of large foreign banks to remain in business Business Card Holders.

But with the lack of liquidity, technical difficulties and legal risks, and the threat of sanctions wielded by the BCEAO against banks working with the Gbagbo government, especially when faced with violence that threaten the safety of their employees, BNP Paribas and Societe Generale first, yesterday, gave the signal for withdrawal. "Other banks will close," predicted one senior industry.

Effect "cataclysmic" freezing the financial system

Already five major foreign banks have decided to suspend their activities. The interruption of their business is blocking the Ivorian banking system, plunging the country a little more into chaos.The economy had indeed already been drastically slowed by the sanctions of the EU imposing such a ban on the two ports, the country's lung. The effect of blocking bank could be "cataclysmic," according to some.

Already, Abidjan went to stop their banks to withdraw their money. "It is feared the contagion effect, so we just remove a little about our savings," says one entrepreneur. "I'd rather have my money on me, it is unclear what will happen," shouts one soldier. The political crisis appears to have already led to a banking crisis that goes straight to an economic crisis.

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