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No miracle. Greece's gross domestic product will fall by "around 5%" this year, suffering a fifth year of recession, acknowledged Tuesday the Bank of Greece. The plunge "will be less pronounced than in 2011", where GDP fell 6.9%, concedes the national bank, but 0.5 points higher than it expected in March. And it is also necessary that the restructuring measures promised by Athens to be "implemented without delay."

Unemployment, says the Bank of Greece, will exceed 12% of the workforce this year, against 17.7% last year, while inflation will be around 1.2%. And the future of the country, which aims for this year a deficit of 7% of GDP and a reduction of its debt to 145.5%, against 9.1% and 165.3% in 2011, rests entirely on the recapitalization of its banks, thanks to 50 billion euros in aid provided by its creditors. They were accused last year a record loss of 27.9 billion euros.

For Panagiotis Tampoureas, director of development pole of the ATE bank in Athens, the estimate of the central bank "is still very optimistic." In his view, the continued decline in wages and consumption can only increase at half the recession yet.

If the Governor of the Bank of Greece, George Provopoulos, underscores, once again warned his country against the risk of leaving the euro area, it must consider the uncertainties posed by parliamentary elections on May 6 Although 36 parties have submitted bids, Greece will probably have to seek a coalition government between the conservative New Democracy and PASOK socialist.

Pension fraud

Will it have the means to stay the course of rigor? This is not won. The government has discovered 200,000 cases of fraud in pensions and social benefits over two years – enough to save over 800 million euros a year.

The Ministry of Labour has also identified 4,000 businesses that reported the imputed social contributions. And Greece, which combines a shortfall of 60 billion euros in unpaid taxes, is preparing to create an electronic record capable of correlating all transactions of taxpayers with the banks, credit insurance, hospitals and all public services. He could emerge from this year and significantly reduce tax evasion.

But the Greek authorities also face another reality of the crisis. In the first half of this year, calculates the European Commission, a thousand individual companies will put the key under the door every week in the country. This is the same economic base of Greece disappears. In 2010, there were indeed very small companies with 742,600 total 2.51 million employees, over 85% of total employment in the country.

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Our Berlin correspondent Continuing uncertainties related to the euro crisis will not prevent the German economy to continue its momentum insolent. The five major economic research institutes across the Rhine released Thursday of predictions on the rise: they are forecasting growth of gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.9% this year, against 0.8% previously, and anticipate a accelerated growth of around 2% in 2013.

In their spring report, institutes, very famous in Germany and analyze which twice a year the country's economic health, expect a 3.1% rise in exports for 2012 and a further increase of 5.1% exports next year.

According to experts, the debt crisis, however, continue in the coming year to weigh heavily on several partners from Germany within the European Union. The measured optimism is thus based on export growth in Asia, the U.S. and in emerging countries.

Divisions on the role of the ECB

As in 2011, domestic consumption should also support strong growth. Institutes predict an increase in domestic consumption of 0.9% for the current year and 1.3% in 2013. It should rely heavily on investments in housing construction, up 2.3% in 2012 and 5% next year, according to these forecasts.

The Germans, who fear that their savings melt due to the risks of inflation in the euro area, are turning increasingly to the housing market, which has risen significantly in recent months.

Result: unemployment should continue to decline, but at a more measured pace. The number of unemployed is forecast at 2.6 million annual average for 2012. End of 2010, the number of unemployed had risen in the symbolic three million, for the first time since German reunification.

The five major German economic institutes have confessed their divisions on the role of the European Central Bank (ECB), in a report that contrasts with the usual image of a Germany grimly determined by monetary policy. They note in particular that the ECB faces a "dilemma" because governments have so far "rested on the assumption that the ECB will always take over in case of need." Some will see a rally in the implicit position of France, which advocates a more active role of the ECB.

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General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen gradually reveal the content of their historic alliance, which is reminiscent of that between Renault and Japan's Nissan. If such comparisons seem indispensable for international car manufacturers, as the competition is tough, what about in terms of French jobs? "Better buy a Toyota Yaris produced in France, a Renault Dacia produced in Romania," Nicolas Sarkozy launched late January, as an example of the preference to "Made in France" to boost employment in France. Is it that simple? Not in the auto sector, meet Philippe Very and Emmanuel Metais *, professors at EDHEC Business School.

Emmanuel Metais Photo credits: © Hervé THOUROUDE-Mobile: 06 16 29 62 08 – Email: rvthouroude@yahoo.fr

Entrepreneurs can now expect to spend less time on paperwork they must complete to satisfy the administration. The National Assembly finally passed the bill Wednesday on the easing of administrative procedures despite the guerrilla led by the left. Socialist deputies and senators have decided to seize the Constitutional Council on this legislation. François Rebsamen, President of the Socialist Group of the Senate, said the referral should be made Friday.

"Francois Hollande has displayed duplicity and said on TF1 to a contractor who asked that it was essential to reduce the administrative burden on enterprises when, at the same time, François Hollande, the Socialist member of the Assembly national, and Jean-Marc Ayrault defended a motion to dismiss on the simplification of the text. Simplification is neither right nor left. It is pragmatic and expected by economic agents, "said Frederic Lefebvre Thursday, Secretary of State for SMEs, with more of the 145 measures that will be implemented in the presence of Jean-Luc Warsmann (UMP), President of the Law Committee of the National Assembly and author of the bill payday loans.

New areas

The measures apply to both the conditions of entitlement to holiday pay as procurement of low value, the secured cabinet containing all the digital business information required by the government that the 240 million ballot wages published each year. The latter, with up to 30 lines, will be simplified in several steps. The items on the Social Security taxes and social contributions will be easier to understand from the 1st January 2013. Those on unemployment contributions, pension contributions and additional pension will be from 1 January 2015.

The device of the rescript in office, which allows a company to ask its opinion to the administration, will be improved. It will be extended to new areas such as rules for calculating payroll. The administration will respond within a specified time.

Most companies only file with the court an annual report containing information that can benefit their competitors. To monitor the implementation of 145 measures, Frédéric Lefebvre install the March 19 Committee of the reduction of paperwork consisting of officials and entrepreneurs.

Wolfgang Schäuble has opened the way for the adoption, on Monday, a second plan with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, amounting to 130 billion euros. But it is not private to lecture on the Greek government, while ensuring the Greek people of his compassion for the conservation measures that strike.

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the idea of ​​establishing an escrow account for the interest payments on Greek debt, which was the German Government, should be held tonight in Brussels by the finance ministers of the euro area. Unlike that of a commissioner to oversee the implementation of rigor, to which Germany has given up against the outcry. However, in an internal report, the German Ministry of Economy casts a very negative effect on the progress of reforms in Greece and openly doubt it will be able to avoid bankruptcy. This will certainly complicate the ratification of the new aid plan by the Bundestag, scheduled for February 27.

Critical or pessimistic statements of German officials on the situation of the country have moved the Greeks and sharpened their sense of being imposed a European tutelage. Greek President Karolos Papoulias has himself condemned what he thought of "teasing" the German finance minister's struggle to stay in Athens for the euro area no fax payday loans.

"In front of aid, there is always someone who wants to get help, found Wolfgang Schäuble. We remain available for some time to help the Ministry of Finance officials to build a Greek tax system efficient. So far the offer has not been entered. "

"Compassion"

The German minister, who had been strongly criticized in Athens after claiming he had "serious doubts" about the validity of elections in April in Greece, he assured "sympathize" with the Greeks. "The vast majority of those affected by the reforms and austerity measures – and let me express once more my great respect for them – are nothing to do with the slow pace of reforms, the loss of competitiveness or inefficient use of budgets in the past, "he says.

And remember that the Greek minimum wage will be at the future "at about the same level as in Spain."

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Committee for the Six Nations, the puzzle of the new date of the France-Ireland postponed last Saturday, should be completed tonight. This is not the case of French Rugby Federation (FFR), she also faces the unpleasant consequences of the postponement at the last minute of the match on the second day of the Six Nations tournament.

And for good reason: about 78,000 spectators, with the majority of them paid for their seats, were present in the stands Saturday night. In addition to travel expenses and accommodation, went up in smoke, they had paid to enter the Stade de France between 36 and 110 euros for the major shows of European rugby. "The general conditions of sale do not provide reimbursement for these tickets, it says in the FFR. However, the different parts (FFR, insurance, Consortium Stade de France …) studying the subject and the possibility of compensating the injured fans the most. " If the hypothesis of simple reimbursement of tickets for spectators unable to return seemed logical at first glance, it is not acquired at all.

Necessarily financial compensation pa

If the game is postponed from this Sunday, it will be difficult for the FFR, lack of time to fill the shortfall by the potential resale of tickets redeemed. In the event that the Committee of Six Nations would choose the date of March 3, the leeway to the FFR to re-market these tickets would be wider … and could therefore support the decision of any reimbursement, in whole or part , tickets. The Federation also confirms that no final decision will be taken before choosing the new date, but an official communication will be made on the site of the FFR, when setting the terms of any repayment online payday loans. It also emphasizes the study of "compensation, not necessarily financial supporters the most affected." In case of default, there are still more likely that the fans away from Paris trying to resell their tickets on the black market.

A weekend in 1000 euros for two

In addition to sporting disappointment, the financial damage is also for fans of rugby. Mainly for the fans from the south-west, but especially Ireland. For the latter, the cost of the weekend in Paris often resort to over 1000 euros for two people.

Another player injured by this fiasco: France Televisions. Often questioned, as her sisters, to put pressure on the maintenance of programming events to large audiences, the public broadcaster said, however, have fought to advance the game in 15 hours. Without success. Cost of operation: 130,000 euros, according to Daniel Bilalian, sports director of France Televisions.

Finally, in the Stade de France, the loss is more difficult to assess. According to the task, the final match between France and Italy on February 4 was generated € 1.5 million profit, and a recipe for 300,000 euros for the FFR. The France-Ireland being postponed, not canceled, the loss on the sale of products, beverages and other sandwiches should be controlled.

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Apple announced Tuesday after the close of Wall Street that the media group's boss Disney, Robert Iger, integrate its board, now chaired by Arthur Levinson, who was one of the leading officials of the board of the group in 2005. These decisions were taken one month after the death of founder and CEO of Apple Steve Jobs. In addition, Apple has opened for the first time Wednesday discussions with advocacy groups accuse the Chinese environmental industry working for the manufacturer of computers and smartphones U no fax needed payday loans.S. large-scale pollution.

The Dell IT group released Tuesday, also after the close of Wall Street, with net income up 9% in the third quarter of fiscal offset to $ 893 million, slightly above expectations.

The optimism was short-lived on the Asian markets. After an encouraging start of the week, the markets plunged again in the red, the footsteps of European and American stock exchanges. Hopes that the problems of sovereign debt in the euro area resolved quickly, as promised last weekend by the Franco-German duo have been showered by the rejection by the Slovak parliament to the expansion of financial aid funds the euro area (EFSF). Last country to vote on the subject, Slovakia was expected by the markets at the turn. This decision may slow the process of post-crisis recovery that the pessimism of the operators. A second vote, however, could be organized with the support of the left opposition which requires the holding of elections in exchange.

In addition to these political deals, investors are disappointed by the results of the aluminum giant Alcoa.The latter, which traditionally opens the ball results in the United States, reported Tuesday a quarterly profit below expectations, attributed to slower economic growth since mid-2011.

The U.S. Senate penalizes the yuan

In Japan, the bad news drive the Nikkei down. At the end, it gives up 0.40% to 8738.90 points. The broader Topix index has eroded his side of 0.21% to 753.44 points. Export values ​​are undermined by a strengthening of the yen was down 0.27% Toyota, Honda of 1.79% and 4.07% Nikon loose, affected by its decision to suspend production in Thailand by the floods that hit the country. For the same reasons, Toyota announced that he was forced to suspend production for the week in its three plants. Values ​​related to energy are affected by the poor results of Alcoa.Sumitomo Metal Mining loose eg 1.64% no fax cash advances.

Please note that orders for capital goods in the private sector in Japan, excluding energy and shipbuilding, jumped 11.0% in August compared with July, according to the government Wednesday.

Australia's S & P lost 2.09% to 3325 points. Values ​​related to the sector of raw materials are affected by Alcoa. BHP Billiton drops 1.20%, 2.51% Alumina and Rio Tinto 1.59%.

The Hang Seng in Hong Kong manages to remain in the green, up 0.63% to 18,255 points, as the Shanghai Composite Stock Exchange Shanghai jumped 2.16% to 2399 points. Always driven by Beijing's decision to support the banking sector, Agricultural Bank of China gained 1.34% and 1.13% Bank of China.Moreover, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved a bill to penalize China, suspected of manipulating its currency to boost exports, despite the reluctance of the White House. The adoption of the bill is a "severe sprain" the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) can cause a "trade war", responded Wednesday to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Korean Kospi follows in the footsteps of Chinese markets and advances from 0.50% to 1803 points. Even bullish on India Sensex climbs to 1.10% at 16,718 points.

Oil down

The price of oil was down at the opening Wednesday in Asia, where the market re-Slovak pessimistic after the rejection of strengthening European support fund and the estimated demand for crude revised downwards by OPEC.

In electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost 1.04 dollars to 84.77 dollars. Barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery gave 74 cents to 109.99 dollars.

Many station controllers have spontaneously stopped Thursday afternoon to work after the announcement of the aggression of one of their colleagues in a Corail train earlier in the day. Traffic TGV, Corail and TER is still very upset that Friday morning * and should remain "at least the morning," according to the SNCF, which does not give details. It invites customers to delay their trip or take alternate means of transportation. Ticket holders whose train was canceled can do exchange or refund.

Good news however for users Transilien (train network in the Île-de-France), the Thalys and Eurostar.Traffic on these lines should be "near normal" according to SNCF.

Transport Minister, Thierry Mariani, Thursday criticized the work stoppage of workers, finding that it was not "appropriate response" to the extent that he believes "it is not an act delinquency, this is a person who clearly has mental problems. " "This is not stopping the trains that they stop the insane," he said. The President of the SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, is on the same line. "This is a rare occurrence, an attack of such violence.It would serve no purpose to penalize travelers simply because a dangerous madman attacked controllers, "he said in Besançon, where the controller was assaulted in hospital.

No train service on the night of Thursday to Friday

The strike controller led Thursday the cancellation of all trains at night, and created a big mess all over the country. Some passengers were stranded at the station waiting for a hypothetical train.

Board trains at the Gare Saint-Charles in Marseille. Photo credits: GERARD JULIEN / AFP

Washington, our correspondent

Dominique Strauss-Kahn said goodbye as expected Monday afternoon in Washington with his colleagues in the IMF. Refusing to say more, the spokesman confirmed that DSK was also "briefly" met with Christine Lagarde before. It was "private meetings" held at the request of DSK and that the press was not invited.

The IMF staff was asked to say "goodbye" in a room usually devoted to the headquarters press conferences. Tea and coffee were served. Dominique Strauss-Kahn is mounted on the platform to speak for ten minutes. He wanted not only to greet his colleagues, but he also apologized twice "for the harm done" to the institution.

A lot of people to greet him was in a hurry. "Several hundred" witnesses said. "He was applauded.The atmosphere was warm, "commented one frame. Many, especially women, especially African, wanted to be photographed with him.

DSK told his audience of the importance of imagination in the IMF mission. He also said that if their recommendations had been followed eight months ago, Europe would not be where it is today.

A popular leader

The ousted boss of the IMF gave no indication of its political intentions or professional on his return to France. He however praised the speech made Saturday by Christine Lagarde warned that the G20 leaders risk of relapse into recession and the need to practice in the short term even the stimulus spending quick cash.

The former CEO had arrived with his wife Anne Sinclair to 3:30 p.m. at the wheel of his Audi.He chose to enter quietly through the underground garage and left the same way.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn was popular with staff. He recognized great qualities to have changed the image and practices of the IMF during the financial crisis. The institution is now much more visible in debates on the reforms to be implemented to combat the crisis. It is emerging as a kind of secretarial and "think tank" of the G20, while providing enormous resources urgently to stabilize countries in crisis.

Critics of economic policies made by the IMF are more biting than in the past. The contribution of funds to support plans to indebted countries in the euro area is crucial, both in terms of funding and conditionality. Provided the results of these plans are not yet up to the expectations.And recommendations to the rich countries do not seem to be better monitored than before.

Employees recognize the IMF provided that their favorite patron has made huge mistakes personal trial and that the abandonment of criminal proceedings against him can not be the "whitening" or erase their mistakes.

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