Latest news with #MEDEF
LeMonde
25-05-2025
- Business
- LeMonde
Shein assembles a lineup of former politicians to defend its interests
Accused of unfair competition, regulatory non-compliance and labor law violations, the Chinese fast fashion site Shein has assembled a distinguished group to defend its interests and reputation. The brand has enlisted former European commissioner Günther Oettinger, former French interior minister Christophe Castaner, human rights activist, lawyer and former junior minister Nicole Guedj, as well as the former president of the International and European Pole of MEDEF (France's largest employer federation) Bernard Spitz. Each has its own task and network, all aimed at opening the doors of power and spreading the good word – in short, lobbying. Castaner quickly praised the "most popular brand in the world" and criticized the bill that penalizes fast-fashion brands. "It's quite disgusting" to want "to make people pay more" by taxing products for the working-class, he told French television channel BFM on January 27, echoing Shein's talking points developed by its communications teams. Since 2023, the platform has enlisted Image 7, an agency whose clients include Hermès, Kering and Accor, allowing it to enter Paris's business circle. For crisis management, Shein relies on Plead, a subsidiary of the Havas Group led by Yannick Bolloré under Vivendi. The firm has also hired Fabrice Layer, a former lobbyist for the Chinese company Huawei, who is under judicial investigation for active corruption within the European Parliament.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa courts investors with R940 billion Infrastructure drive
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has announced that the government intends to spend more than R940 billion on infrastructure Image: File Deputy President Paul Mashatile has announced government plans to spend more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. Mashatile announced this on Wednesday during a Roundtable Breakfast Dialogue hosted by MEDEF International in Paris. According to a statement issued by the Presidency, MEDEF is France's largest business federation, representing more than 750,000 companies ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large multinationals. The Deputy President arrived in France on Monday as part of a visit that is aimed at "reinforcing South Africa's historic and warm bilateral relations with France by expanding on existing cooperation projects, as well as identifying new areas of cooperation with a specific focus on trade and investment,'. "The South African Government has committed to spending more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. This funding will revitalise our roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise our ports and airports, and power our economy," Mashatile said. Mashatile added that "investors have an opportunity to collaborate with the South African Government by investing in infrastructure such as ports, rail." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "Moreover, investors have an opportunity to collaborate with the South African Government by investing in infrastructure such as ports, rail, electricity, and manufacturing to improve local value-addition and boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area," he said. His visit to France follows the European Union–South Africa Summit held in Cape Town last month, during which the EU announced an investment package of approximately R90 billion to support key development projects in South Africa. IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Deputy President Mashatile engages with South African and French businesses in a Roundtable Breakfast Dialogue
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has, today, 20 May 2025, engaged with South African and French businesses during a Roundtable Breakfast Dialogue hosted by MEDEF International in Paris. MEDEF is France's largest business federation, representing over 750,000 companies, from SMEs to large multinationals. It plays a central role in promoting French economic diplomacy, supporting private sector development, and facilitating international investment and trade relationships. The Business Dialogue is an important platform for businesses from both countries to expand on existing cooperation and identifying new areas of cooperation with a specific focus on trade and investment. Addressing the Business Dialogue, the Deputy President said, "The South African Government has committed to spending more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. This funding will revitalise our roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise our ports and airports, and power our economy. Moreover, investors have an opportunity to collaborate with the South African Government by investing in infrastructure such as ports, rail, electricity, and manufacturing to improve local value-addition and boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area." The Deputy President also touched on the European Union-SA Summit, which took place in Cape Town in March 2025, where there was an announcement of the EU investment package of around R90 billion to support investment projects in South Africa. In addition, the Deputy President met with Mr Thierry Deau, Group CEO of Meridiam and Chairman of the Global Long-Term Infrastructure Investors Association. Meridiam is a global investment firm specializing in public infrastructure, with assets under management exceeding €12 billion. It focuses on long-term investments in transport, energy, social infrastructure, and environmental projects, with a commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth. During the meeting, the two discussed, among others, the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders, including infrastructure investors, policymakers, and academia, as being crucial for promoting responsible and long-term private capital deployment in public infrastructure. In conclusion, the Deputy President indicated that he is certain that South Africa and France can achieve new heights of prosperity through strengthening their economic links and encouraging closer cooperation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Zawya
28-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Talaat seeks to boost French investment in Egypt's ICT sector
Egypt - Amr Talaat, Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, recently met with Éric Chevallier, the French Ambassador to Cairo, to explore ways of attracting greater French investment into Egypt's growing ICT sector and strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). The meeting focused on collaborative programs and projects between Egypt and France in the ICT field, including French companies' investments in outsourcing services. Talaat shared details of prior discussions with French officials and business leaders—particularly those within the French Business Confederation (MEDEF)—which had already resulted in the expansion of two major French companies' operations in Egypt. Minister Talaat emphasized Egypt's commitment to creating a favorable investment environment for global businesses, stressing that the country's competitive advantages, such as a large pool of skilled, multilingual professionals, position it as an attractive hub for digital outsourcing services. He expressed hope that French companies would leverage these advantages to scale their operations and serve global clients from Egypt. The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance youth capabilities in technical skills, foreign languages, and AI-related fields. These initiatives extend beyond technical fields to include disciplines like law and accounting, equipping professionals with the digital skills needed to thrive in the modern economy. Talaat expressed a keen interest in collaborating with France to develop an AI-powered platform to boost French language skills, enabling Egyptian professionals to serve French-speaking markets. Ambassador Chevallier praised Egypt's highly skilled ICT workforce and the successful expansion of several French companies within Egypt's ICT sector. He invited Talaat to participate in the upcoming AI Summit on February 10-11, which will focus on AI's role in the public good and global governance of emerging technologies. Talaat confirmed Egypt's participation and expressed eagerness to showcase the country's AI achievements and learn from the event's innovations. The Ambassador also extended an invitation for Egypt's Ministry of Communications to be a key partner at a French business forum for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in May. The forum will feature a dedicated segment on AI, and Talaat affirmed Egypt's readiness to contribute by presenting its digital capacity-building programs, AI initiatives, and support for SMEs in the sector. In closing, Minister Talaat invited Ambassador Chevallier to visit Egypt's Digital Creativity Centers to explore potential collaborations and discuss hosting events related to the forum within these centers.
Daily News Egypt
28-01-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Talaat seeks to boost French investment in Egypt's ICT sector
Amr Talaat, Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, recently met with Éric Chevallier, the French Ambassador to Cairo, to explore ways of attracting greater French investment into Egypt's growing ICT sector and strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). The meeting focused on collaborative programs and projects between Egypt and France in the ICT field, including French companies' investments in outsourcing services. Talaat shared details of prior discussions with French officials and business leaders—particularly those within the French Business Confederation (MEDEF)—which had already resulted in the expansion of two major French companies' operations in Egypt. Minister Talaat emphasized Egypt's commitment to creating a favorable investment environment for global businesses, stressing that the country's competitive advantages, such as a large pool of skilled, multilingual professionals, position it as an attractive hub for digital outsourcing services. He expressed hope that French companies would leverage these advantages to scale their operations and serve global clients from Egypt. The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance youth capabilities in technical skills, foreign languages, and AI-related fields. These initiatives extend beyond technical fields to include disciplines like law and accounting, equipping professionals with the digital skills needed to thrive in the modern economy. Talaat expressed a keen interest in collaborating with France to develop an AI-powered platform to boost French language skills, enabling Egyptian professionals to serve French-speaking markets. Ambassador Chevallier praised Egypt's highly skilled ICT workforce and the successful expansion of several French companies within Egypt's ICT sector. He invited Talaat to participate in the upcoming AI Summit on February 10-11, which will focus on AI's role in the public good and global governance of emerging technologies. Talaat confirmed Egypt's participation and expressed eagerness to showcase the country's AI achievements and learn from the event's innovations. The Ambassador also extended an invitation for Egypt's Ministry of Communications to be a key partner at a French business forum for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in May. The forum will feature a dedicated segment on AI, and Talaat affirmed Egypt's readiness to contribute by presenting its digital capacity-building programs, AI initiatives, and support for SMEs in the sector. In closing, Minister Talaat invited Ambassador Chevallier to visit Egypt's Digital Creativity Centers to explore potential collaborations and discuss hosting events related to the forum within these centers.
