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For three years, the halal market in the Hexagon knows a strong increase of around 10 to 15% per year. The latest data firm specializing in the polls ethnic, Solis, the market for halal products ("legal" or "licensed" in Arabic) has reached 5.5 billion euros in 2010, one billion euros for Restore. If manufacturers have smelled it rich by investing in five years the sector, traditional butchers and grocery stores still hold the vast majority of the market, with 80%. In total, the halal industry worldwide is estimated at $ 600 billion (455 billion euros), representing 16% of the weight of the global food industry.

With 5 million consumers potentially concerned, France has seen the development in recent years these product lines compatible with the requirements of Islam. Not just in the food (meat, drinks, fast food …) but also in cosmetics (polish, lipstick, creams …).

Less dynamic in 2011

However, the year 2011a saw an inflection point. In any case, as revealed by the study "Horizon 2012 Shoppers' * Cabinet Solis, for which growth has slowed halal this year. Phenomenon confirms that the latest study by consulting firm Symphony IRI published mid-November that the increase in sales of consumer goods in supermarkets and hypermarkets Halal slowed sharply in third quarter 2011, reaching 157 million euros . While the 10.5% growth recorded over the period would be the envy of many manufacturers. And yet it is a stop from 25% rise recorded a year earlier on the same period.

While the month of Ramadan can average a 60% increase in sales compared to a normal month, the halal sector suffers from the dual effect of increased competition from brands in supermarkets, but also and especially problems of traceability / certification products. Last year, the suspected presence of DNA from pigs in halal poultry sausages Herta had led by example the brand to remove these products from sale. Bad publicity that has impacted on all producers. Especially since a few months later, Canal + hit hard by distributing a clear story ("Halal: The underside of a business") questioning the seriousness of certain companies in the industry. "The impact (of this report note) has been considerable consumer" also recalls the firm Solis.

Private labels are pulling the prices down

Finally, the dynamism of the sector is constrained by the market entry of private labels (PLs), which tend to drive prices down. This development is "at the expense of already established brands in retail, including national brands declined halal (Fleury Michon, Herta …) and traditional brands," says Solis, who is expected in the coming months to a redistribution market share between the different actors and has the concentration of firms in this market.

* Survey conducted face to face about 1,405 people 18 to 64 years in four regions with a strong tradition of hospitality of North African immigration, between October 14 and November 7, 2011

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on digital development, proposed by Senators Maurey Hervé and Philippe Leroy. The UMP should vote against.

This text aims to redefine the criteria for national coverage for mobile telephony and to modify the program very high speed, that is to say, the development of fiber optics. Elected officials, especially in rural areas, fear of being left behind, want to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics, imposing restrictions and sanctions on operators, and by encouraging communities to take action themselves. "Today, operators are going where they want and whenever they want. They have no obligation to implement their statements, while they prevent the initiative of local authorities in areas where they declare their intention to deploy. This is not acceptable, "said Hervé Maurey, Senator of the Eure.

"This text is well intended but using effective against-productive because it organizes a confrontation between operators and communities," said Bruno Retailleau for his part, Senator of the Vendee, UMP and related expert on digital. "The text in fact encourages communities to invest, including in areas where private networks exist, which leads to duplicate investment and leads to waste." The site of deployment of optical fiber is estimated at 24 billion euros, but could be much higher if the investments are doublonnés.

"Incremental costs for local authorities"

This bill represents a comprehensive questioning of the French financial and regulatory framework for the deployment of very high speed, even though the development of master plans of digital technology spreads and as the first projects between local and Private operators are developing. "The wanderlust Legislature is the enemy of investment, says Bruno Retailleau. This text carries with it the nostalgia of the former state monopoly, and aims to recreate it from renationalising telecom departments, "he says.

Telecom operators are opposed to this bill. The French Federation of Telecoms (FFT) estimates that "such a challenge seems to go or in the interests of the territories, nor in the public finances." The entry into force of that provision could lead to "a high risk of duplication of investment, which would cause a duplication of networks with the impact of additional costs for all stakeholders and especially local communities," denounces the FFT.

"The proposed rules seem to be cons-productive, even dangerous, said Pierre Louette, secretary general of France Telecom. If you want to be sure to slow the deployment of fiber in the country, this is one way that can guarantee to achieve this goal. " France Telecom has planned € 2 billion investment in fiber optics by 2015. This year, the group will double the gross amount of its investments compared to 2011 to exceed 300 million euros.

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"The Great Recession does not amount to a great vacation," says Professor Erik Hurst, University of Chicago, who with two other economists Mark Aguiar and Loukas Karabarbounis, conducted a study on "the use of time during recessions "(Time use DURING recessions, NBER).

Of the 260 million hours a week lost in the labor market between January 2007 and December 2010, some 92 million, over a third were employed in domestic work and child care. These figures come from the annual survey of the Federal Administration (Bureau of Labor) on how Americans spend their days.

Russia enters the WTO backwards. After eighteen years of fruitless negotiations, Russia will finally entering the World Trade Organization (WTO). The decision will be made official on 15 and 16 November during a ministerial meeting of the Organization, in Geneva, and should take full effect in the summer of 2012.

U.S. President Barack Obama has "welcomed" his counterpart, Dmitri Medvedev. Russia remains so far the only major power not to comply with multilateral trade rules. This advance, described the EU as "a very important step for the Russian economy" is, however, greeted with great discretion in Moscow. Vladimir Putin, who will return to Kremlin in 2012, has never hidden his lack of enthusiasm at the prospect of a liberalization of the Russian economy.Under the pretext of various sanitary, Moscow often blocks the European agri-food imports. Example, from November 15, German pigs suspected of receiving antibiotics, will be denied entry on Russian soil. "Once in the WTO, Russia must change its practices," said the diplomat, however, is not no illusions. The Kremlin will find it hard to give up their protectionist habits.

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George Papandreou after an earthquake triggered Monday by announcing the holding of a referendum and a vote of confidence on the aid package passed last Thursday, Nicolas Sarkozy has responded to the outcome of a ministerial meeting at the Elysee Palace. For the French president, it is not going back on the Europe Agreement to reduce the debt of Athens it is "the only way" to Greece he said. "Giving voice to the people is always legitimate, but the solidarity of all countries in the euro area can not be exercised without the consent of each effort," said the French president.

Earlier in the day, the announcement of the referendum led to a further fall in European equity markets."It's a strange way of acting," said the German Rainer Brüderle, chairman of the FDP parliamentary group (Liberal), a partner with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of the ruling coalition. "It looks like someone is trying to emerge from what has been agreed. Prime Minister Papandreou has agreed a rescue plan that benefits the country. The other countries are willing to considerable sacrifices for decades of mismanagement and poor governance in Greece, "he lamented over the airwaves of Deutschlandfunk payday loans.

Finnish Minister for European Affairs Alexander Stubb, said he agreed that the referendum will be equivalent to a vote on the country's membership in the euro area. A view shared by Christopher Pissarides, Nobel Laureate: "If no victory, Greece would fail immediately.The leader of the opposition conservative (New Democracy), Antonis Samaras, said the Prime Minister "can not govern and instead to withdraw with honor, he just dynamite." "I never thought that Papandreou would make a decision as dangerous and frivolous," said the former Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who heads the Democratic Alliance (a small center-right party).

Even the national press is unleashed. "The country will be paralyzed by endless debates, the government, the state apparatus and institutions no longer function," says the conservative daily Kathimerini.

"A minimum of democracy"

However, few voices to salute the decision of the Papandreou government.

Disturbing signal. The leading indicator of the economy, the PMI fell to 46.8 points in October, against 50.2 in September, Markit Economics reported. The index, published in draft form, is passed below 50, reflecting a contraction in activity.

"The PMI data are currently consistent with a negative growth rate (of about -0.5 or -0.6%) for the third quarter," that is the beginning of a recession, worries Jack Kennedy, economist at Markit. The French government, which still formally table a growth of 1.75% in 2012, suggested Friday that it has revised downwards this goal.

The contraction in activity has particularly affected the service sector. He has recorded its sharpest fall for 27 months, 46 points, against 51.5 in September. The industry is not much better.Despite a slight improvement, she underwent her third consecutive month of decline, to 49 points against 48.2 the previous month.

"The impact of European debt crisis may be felt on the real economy," says Jack Kennedy. Markit Economics and recorded "a further decline in confidence in the services sector." "The growing uncertainty surrounding the evolution of the economy leads in fact companies to revise downward its business prospects to twelve months, the optimism of the service providers also display its lowest level since April 2009" , notes the Institute for Financial Studies cash advance flexible payments.

Very little sign of hope for a quick turnaround the economy, companies have seen a decline in the volume of new business, "the highest in almost two years," notes Markit Economics.Especially in services, providers are concerned about "the largest decline in new contracts since July 2009." In industry, the decline in sales is that alarm. A trend in both export and domestic market.

Slowdown in Germany

The slowdown in activity is not only France, but also German industry. For the first time in two years, the PMI for the sector fell to 48.9 points in October, against 50.3 in September. Unlike the Hexagon, however, services are able to climb out of the area's 50 points marked a growth in sales, to 52.1 points, 49.7 points against the previous month.Overall, notes Tim Moore, economist at Markit, "uncertainty about the euro area largely explain, according to the companies, investment reports and cuts in non-essential spending."

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This is one of the topics on which Bercy must be urgently addressed. Once set in motion the dismantling, liquidation of Dexia raises the crucial question of the fate of Dexia Credit Local, actor historical funding of local authorities in France. With two major risks to the key. The first, more obvious, the future of 1300 employees of the group. The second, less visible but equally significant, the need to compensate for the loss of a market leader in loans to local area is drying. A strategic issue for the French economy, knowing that municipalities and other semi-public companies focus a large part of the investment in France.

According to the scheme blessed by Bercy, The Post Bank is expected to take over from Dexia on new loans, via a joint venture which it will own 65% and the Deposit 35%.But in the current discussions, Philippe Wahl, chief executive of The Bank intends to significantly reduce mailing the scope of its intervention.

According to an internal document that has acquired Le Figaro, a subsidiary of La Poste aims to establish "a secure and cost-effective model." A slogan: zero risk on its balance sheet, zero financial resources and significant margins. The Post Bank and excludes to the liquidity available for its core businesses such as home loans or consumer credit in the service of this new clientele. A surprise because it is precisely to tap into surplus resources of the Post Bank that it had been in the loop.

Instead, the "new player in the financing of local authorities" – as he describes himself – is that its production loan is refinanced entirely by Dexma, the tool securitization Dexia which the Deposit will hold 65% Dexia Bank 30% and 5% PO. This necessarily limited new production.

The strategy of small steps

The Postal Bank does not hide it: it does provide "a gradual entry in the market." It must be said that the bank does not have jurisdiction over this area. A solution would involve Dexia to the joint venture, but Philippe Wahl opposed it, arguing that he had drawn a line under the past.If "tools and know-how" will be taken, much remains, at this stage in DCL, which will continue to do business consulting and other brokerage insurance: paying as many services that are generally obtained when The bank, first granted a loan, often less profitable. In other words, the relationship promises to be complicated.

The strategy of small steps of the Post Bank suggests some difficult years for local governments. While their financial needs are increasing, the supply of credit is reduced to a trickle. The difficulties of Dexia added in effect to the decision of Savings and Credit Agricole others to desert, from mid-2011, this market is too expensive in terms of regulatory ratios.The Deposit has set up an emergency budget of 3 billion euros, when experts estimate that 7 billion unmet needs. Next year it will be even more.

What is the country with the largest trade surplus? Germany, with 194 billion dollars over the last twelve months, ahead of China (173 billion). What is the state that attracts the most capital of the world? The Netherlands, where foreign direct investment to date some 3000 billion, far ahead of the United States (2.25 trillion), according to the review of the IMF. What is the country which hosts the most tourists? France has received 78.9 million last year, against 61 million for the United States.

Each of these expresses a form of performance excellence. Germany feeds her flawless manufacturing tradition since the industrial revolution. The Netherlands, taxation deliberately advantageous for multinational companies, is one of the hubs of global capitalism since its "golden age".The Hexagon cultivates an image of cultural universality and good living. Taken one by one, most Old World nations are doing much better than the European Union, or the idea of ​​it.

The Americans accused him of set themselves up as "fortress" when "big market" Europe was created in 1992. Now she is unable to defend its weak links, as révèlela sovereign debt crisis. Public deficits are, however, generally two to three times lower than those of the United States and Japan, as Jean-Claude Trichet, ECB president, continues to say. But markets look weak countries, not the average of a "Union" in front.

Europe is becoming "the global village idiot" in the words of Hubert Védrine, former foreign minister.He who has not grasped the rules and fails to protect its interests. This is particularly evident in relations with China, became the first trade and investment partner of the Old Continent. The EU has a trade deficit with China of 169 billion (in 2010) of similar magnitude to balance US-China (205 billion euros). But the complaints vis-à-vis Beijing are very far from achieving the shouts of Washington. The Committee of Foreign Trade of Parliament held on October 11 a special session on Sino-European trade.As responsible for relations with the Far East in the European administration, Helena König wanted to do things in perspective: "It is clear that for European companies in China is a source of profits" at she said, with emphasis on German and French companies in China. Certainly.

Unfair competition of the "Made in China"

This can not hide everything savings account payday advance. First of all the unfair competition of the "Made in China", which led last week the U.S. Senate to vote for the first time, a bill accusing Beijing of "manipulating its currency." Or access the Chinese market, fully controlled, as we see "a rush of China in Europe." This is the title of the study that came to write scathing François Godement Jonas Parello-Plesner and for the European Council on Foreign Relations. They describe an all-out acquisition strategy.The recovery of ailing brands such as Volvo and MG in the car, the establishment of SMEs. Beijing has established a fund of 2.8 billion euros to assist innovative German SMEs to develop partnerships with their Chinese counterparts. This may take the form of real industrial cities, as in Florence, on the outskirts of Florence, where 4 800 small businesses employing 40,000 Chinese expatriates in Mainland China are a bridgehead offshore.

Faced with this wave, "Europe has no information or regulations," stigmatizes Francois Godement. The Bulgarian ambassador in Paris, Marin Raykov, explains how his country, not having been able to interest the French car manufacturers, has brought the Chinese Great Wall Motor to manufacture cars in Bulgaria.Deindustrialization and fiscal difficulties of the southern states are an ideal soft underbelly.

With its 3.2 trillion (dollars) of foreign exchange reserves, Beijing appears in turn as the white knight to the rescue of Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Hungary. Last summer, a delegation from the Italian Treasury, modern-day Marco Polo, visited with great ceremony in Beijing to his court. It was rumored that the Chinese central bank holds 25% of all European public debt. Information without foundation, insists Francois Godement. Unlike the U.S. Treasury, following precisely the holding of Treasury bonds by Beijing and publishes its figures, Europe has no statistical tool.Like Greece, which has Eurostat in September 2004 that its accounts were rigged, had not a lesson.

This lack of information is a godsend for Beijing, which keeps his secret. What easy conquest, according to the principle of "divide and rule", as old as the Roman Empire, the British had returned to their use to colonize the Middle East.

From our correspondent in Beijing

It became the big hot topic on the Chinese Internet to the desktop as local leaders. The distress of Chinese SMEs in need of cash is in China proportions "hysterical", according to press reports in Hong Kong. To the point that the government has announced a package of measures to help them and calm the unrest.

The crisis of Chinese SMEs is symbolized by the incredible epidemic of bankruptcies in the city of Wenzhou, in the heart of the exporting province of Zhejiang. The Chinese press said Thursday that since the beginning of the year, more than 200 patrons had fled or hid after their coffers have dried up. Others have committed suicide. Some 20% of the 360,000 SMEs in the region have already had to close shop for lack of money.And the situation will get worse in January, when the Chinese New Year, traditionally the time when patrons enjoy a vacation to disappear without paying their employees. According to the New China News Agency, SMEs create around 80% of jobs in the country.

The State Council (Chinese government) has subsequently announced Tuesday a series of measures, financial and tax to help small and medium enterprises. The first is to facilitate access to credit. To do so, against the current of their policy, the authorities will allow the minimum reserve ratios "comparatively low" for local banks lending to SMEs, while this ratio was usually around 21% for large banks. Moreover, these small businesses can more easily borrow by issuing bonds. The other part is to exempt SMEs from a battery of taxes and charges.Banks are also prohibited from charging their services at prices "unreasonable."

"Informal Credit"

Wenzhou has become a symbol for it is the Chinese capital of the "informal credit". Private reserves by banks, which prefer to grant loans to large corporations, small businesses are strangled. They have no recourse but to turn to private security companies that have developed lending. The rates are incredibly high, ranging from 20% to over 100% … Some analysts believe that the share of informal loans may exceed 25% of total credit in the country. Credit Suisse has estimated that black market credit of 456 billion euros, with an increase of 50% per year.

Chief economist at the Development Research Centre of the State Council, Zhang Wenkui believes that the latest measures only bring temporary relief.And nothing will change until the banking sector do not be reformed, by offering different services to different types of customers. He has a vivid picture to describe the current situation: "It's like an irrigation system with water that would go to large trees and ignore all the shrubs." The problem is that in the short Beijing term can not open the floodgates too, failing to challenge its efforts to the credit crunch.

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The future common agricultural policy (CAP), presented Wednesday by the Romanian European Commissioner Ciolos on 2014-2020 proposes "a new compact between farmers and European society." With three challenges: food security, economic competitiveness and ecology together in preserving natural resources, and develop rural areas. Brussels each year spends about 45% of the total budget of the EU, mainly in the form of direct aid to farmers.

In the new project – budget of 435.5 billion euros – these are basic aid to boost growth and employment. "The average income of a farmer is still below 40% in other sectors," says one in Brussels. But they must be better targeted and more accurate.The Europe that "for years", has prompted farmers on the road "to productivity without constraint," should move towards "sustainable production practices," noted Ciolos.

Specifically, the aid will cover more than "active farmers", referring to the subsidies received by golf clubs or airports. They will also be progressively reduced from 150,000 euros per year per farm, while taking into account the number of jobs created, and will be capped at 300,000 euros. Dacian Ciolo wants to establish a single payment per hectare, to promote extensive agriculture and non-intensive, as is the case in France or Italy, where the aid is based on production levels.In fact, there are still large disparities between, for example, Greek or Italian farmers who receive some 400 euros per hectare, as against less than 100 for Latvian peasants no fax pay day loan.

Emergency reserve

The objective is to achieve by 2020 a rebalancing of budgets between states. The countries of Eastern Europe will see their share rise but France will continue to be the main beneficiary, receiving 7.6 billion euros a year, followed by Germany (5.1) and Spain.

To cope with crises and deregulation of markets, safety nets – private storage, mutual funds … – Brussels will be maintained and can tap into an emergency reserve of 500 million euros a year.

On the environmental side, 30% of farm payments will be conditional on good practices, namely set-aside 7% of the total area, minimum diversification three cultures.The Commission also proposes to double the research budget to promote innovation and support for young farmers under the age of 40 years, during the first five years of installation. It remains to convince the MEPs and the 27 Member States. The negotiations will be already difficult to reach an agreement by early 2013 at the latest. France has already expressed support for "the principle of greening" but believes that at the proposals from Brussels do not correspond to "the economic substance of operations." Same story with the FNSEA.

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