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French economy

Growth estimates for second, third quarters seen to slide
28/12/2010 - FRANCE

Growth estimates for second, third quarters seen to slide

The French national statistics agency INSEE reported diminished economic growth estimates for the country's second and third quarters on Tuesday, threatening to derail government plans to reach an overall growth rate of 1.6% in 2010.
Maria Nowak, Economist and Micro-finance Specialist
25/12/2010 - THE INTERVIEW

Maria Nowak, Economist and Micro-finance Specialist

Melissa Bell talks to Maria Nowak, economist and specialist in the field of micro-finance, who brought the concept to France when it was still an idea associated with emerging economies. In her new book, she argues that economic efficiency and social justice can go hand in hand thanks to micro-credit and other initiatives.
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S&P says France set to keep top credit rating
24/12/2010 - France

S&P says France set to keep top credit rating

Despite recent concerns that France might be the next European Union country to face a fiscal crisis, the credit rating agency Standard & Poor's expressed faith in the country's ability to slash its deficits.
Blue chip bosses facing a pay cut
16/12/2010 - BUSINESS MATTERS

Blue chip bosses facing a pay cut

Blue Chip bosses are facing a pay cut for the third year in a row, according to the annual report of Proxinvest. In 2009, the bosses of the 40 biggest French companies were paid 14% less. However, the situation varies widely between large companies and SMEs. Find out more with Stéphane Marchand.
Finance Minister Lagarde gives red card to Cantona over bank plan
02/12/2010 - FRANCE

Finance Minister Lagarde gives red card to Cantona over bank plan

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde gave former football star Eric Cantona a red card on Wednesday, asserting that people should not follow his advice to empty their bank accounts on December 7 so that “the system collapses”.
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The Death Business
01/11/2010 - French Press Review

The Death Business

It’s a long weekend in France and many people are laying flowers at cemeteries for their dear departed. Le Parisien-Aujourd’hui-en-France reports on “Le business de la Toussaint” saying certain funeral parlours are taking advantage of people’s distress. That’s the focus in today’s French press review: MONDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER 2010
Students called to protest as pensions bill reaches final stage
26/10/2010 - FRANCE

Students called to protest as pensions bill reaches final stage

Amid signs of faltering opposition, students take to the streets on Tuesday as France’s two houses of parliament prepare to sign President Nicolas Sarkozy’s controversial pension reform bill into law.
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French pension reform bill moves closer to law
26/10/2010 - FRANCE

French pension reform bill moves closer to law

Both houses of parliament will vote this week on a harmonized version of pension reform legislation as the bill moves its way towards adoption. The government expects the bill, which will raise the retirement age to 62, to become law by Nov. 15.
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Rampant strikes threaten economic recovery, says govt
25/10/2010 - FRANCE

Rampant strikes threaten economic recovery, says govt

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's government warned on Monday that the ongoing strikes against pension reform have cost the state as much as three billion euros, and could upset France's fragile and slowly recovering economy.
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THE WORLD THIS WEEK - Friday, October the 22nd - part 2
23/10/2010 - THE WORLD THIS WEEK

THE WORLD THIS WEEK - Friday, October the 22nd - part 2

It’s austerity, redefined. The clash over French pensions comes to a head while across the Channel, the UK unveils its biggest belt-tightening since World War II. The size of government definitely an issue on both sides of the Atlantic in the final stretch before the November Second midterm elections. Joining François Picard are Matthew Saltmarsh of the IHT, Paul Taylor of the Reuters news agency, Judah Grunstein of World Politics Review and George Kazolias of French partner station AITV.
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