https://www.scmp.com/rss/326692/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com When French President Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing in January this year, he confirmed the intention to present President Xi Jinping with an eight-year-old gelding named Vesuve de Brekka. The actual handover was delayed by strict quarantine requirements, but for those in the know, the diplomatic gesture was heavy with symbolism. The choice of official gift was a reciprocal nod to China’s tried-and-tested style of “panda diplomacy”, and an acknowledgement of the admiration President Xi... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138397/macrons-gift-xi-symbol?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138397/macrons-gift-xi-symbol?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 03:05:12 +0000 The status of Paris as an international centre of style and culture goes without question. It has the galleries, museums, history, haute couture, cuisine – and so much more – to ensure a permanent place among the world’s great tourist destinations. Importantly, though, the city also has a tremendous sense of vibrancy and renewal. It is looking to move with the times, create new attractions and invest where necessary. Those involved are well aware that the tourist industry, in all its aspects and... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138399/france-reveals-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138399/france-reveals-best?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:59:21 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Known for its century-old fur tradition and impeccable craftsmanship, French luxury fashion house Yves Salomon has been on a global expansion mode since opening its flagship Manhattan outpost in December 2015. The debut of the custom store in New York City’s Upper East Side follows the reopening of a shop-in-shop at Harrods and openings in Asia. The master furrier, known to drape celebrities Emily... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138402/yves-salomon-raises-its?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138402/yves-salomon-raises-its?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:54:08 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] The fastest sports cars, biggest trucks and greenest electric vehicles are racing towards a common goal: reducing weight to hit the steep fuel economy and emission targets the industry has set for the automotive future. Driving this revolution is the increasing use of advanced plastics, which not only reduce weight, but also perform better over their metal counterparts in terms of corrosion... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138407/noveasterns-advanced?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138407/noveasterns-advanced?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:48:48 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] From its masterful city planning to its grandiose architecture, France is a country steeped in beauty and artistry. It is no wonder that it has become the nexus for some of the world’s greatest artists: Henri Matisse, Claude Monet and more. Building on this rich heritage, the Centre national des arts plastiques (Cnap), or National Center for Visual Arts, acquires works of living artists from the... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138405/vibrant-asian-art-scene?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138405/vibrant-asian-art-scene?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:44:33 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] A cosmetics ingredient that protects the skin from all forms of urban pollution may sound too good to be true, but not for plant biotechnology specialist Greentech, whose breakthrough Urbalys anti-pollution agent has earned Frost & Sullivan’s New Product Innovation award this year. Urbalys contains lignans rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties – combining several distinctive functions... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138406/greentech-invigorates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138406/greentech-invigorates?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:35:25 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Spread on fresh bread, slathered on baked potatoes or enjoyed on its own, Rians’ Le Roulé hand-rolled fresh cheese is creamy and smooth with a balanced flavour – just as delicately made as it would have been in the cheesemaker’s small family farm in the early 20th century. Today, Rians takes pride in maintaining a simple recipe consisting of natural, high-quality ingredients for most products such as... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138403/rians-bridges-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138403/rians-bridges-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:30:59 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] For Groupe Clarins, the promise of a beautiful life made by founder Jacques Courtin-Clarins 60 years ago still holds true today. The renowned French luxury skincare brand is devoted to combining nature, science and integrity to achieve an enriching life for its clients. Revealing beauty that is natural and responsible, Clarins continues to share its expertise and experience in Asia and across the... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138409/clarins-solidifies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138409/clarins-solidifies?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:21:39 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] At Andrésy Confitures, producing sweet, succulent and flavoursome jams is a personal devotion and a serious business. Three generations have succeeded each other before copper cauldrons to cook the best jams based on traditional French gastronomy. Originally prepared within Yvelines’ surrounding orchards by founder René Walther, his wife Jocelyne, and the wives of boatmen from the nearby... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138413/when-it-comes-jams?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138413/when-it-comes-jams?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:17:14 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Before she became royalty, Marina Gacry spent her childhood in the French countryside with her nose buried in flowers, berries and wild plants. Gathering orange flowers, rose petals, berries, iris, sage and violets from the family garden to make a potpourri of fragrances at the age of 10, little did the future Princesse Marina de Bourbon know that her true royal legacy lay in an enduring fascination... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138412/beyond-luxury-princesse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138412/beyond-luxury-princesse?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:12:35 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Lighting one of diptyque’s best-selling candles Baies is like walking through a lush garden lined with rosebushes so thick with flowers that their fragrant, yet delicate, aroma envelopes the olfactory in their warm embrace. The opulent floral scent is accentuated by the deliciously fresh burst of blackcurrant leaves, emulating the lushness of nature. Established by three artistic geniuses, Christiane... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138414/diptyque-opens-doors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138414/diptyque-opens-doors?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:08:26 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Innovation is constantly pushed forward by the evolving needs and demands of society. People opt for more environmentally friendly solutions, seek ways to further improve quality of life, and turn to measures that help safeguard the future. Companies not agile enough to adapt to this ever-changing world could be quickly rendered obsolete. Seeing how mobility and transport are big factors that impact... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138415/axens-banks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138415/axens-banks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:03:41 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Just as Chinese tourists continue to pick France as their first choice of destination outside Asia, businesses including e-commerce giant Alibaba and technology firm Huawei are also trooping to France, electing the country as their gateway to Europe and the rest of the world. French investment officials have noted that Chinese companies are increasingly investing in a wide range of businesses in... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138416/bpifrance-boosts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138416/bpifrance-boosts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:59:23 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Considered as science fiction a few years ago, self-driving or autonomous vehicle technology is rapidly evolving. Top car makers such as Audi and Ford have announced plans to offer self-driving cars by 2021. Anticipating this trend is leading French car seat and interior components maker TESCA. Formerly branded as Trèves, TESCA combines its 180-year-old knowledge in textile production with foaming... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138419/comfort-and-safety-core?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138419/comfort-and-safety-core?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:54:51 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] SPhere keeps setting the bar high when it comes to innovations. When it was established in 1976, it aimed to develop household packaging solutions such as draw tape bags and anti-bacterial bags to make people’s lives easier. Having made an impact within households, SPhere expanded its scope to create sustainable packaging solutions using plant-based, biodegradable and recycled materials to safeguard... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138418/sphere-pushes-plastic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138418/sphere-pushes-plastic?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:45:58 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] An explosion of aroma and flavour greets the palate with every sip of Château Guiraud, 1st Great Growth Classified in 1855 or Petit Guiraud, Sauternes wine made famous by Château Guiraud for eliciting taste sensations akin to a religious experience. Legendary for its classification, Château Guiraud is gaining more prestige among today’s wine lovers as the most romantic vineyard in the Bordeaux... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138417/chateau-guiraud?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138417/chateau-guiraud?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:40:31 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Home to many of the world’s cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As), Europe plays a key role in easing international trade and global economic growth. According to a report published by Baker McKenzie and Oxford Economics, M&A activity in the region even outperformed the United States and Asia-Pacific last year. France is central to sustaining Europe’s M&A activity as an attractive foreign... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138421/baker-mckenzies-full?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138421/baker-mckenzies-full?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:36:24 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] The strong demand for digital services in sectors such as health, education, entertainment and economic development has led to the emergence of alternative networks and the creation of a competitive wholesale communications market. In France, the last decade saw the widespread deployment of broadband networks even in sparsely populated areas. These public initiative networks (PINs) have stimulated... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138420/axione-bridges-digital?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138420/axione-bridges-digital?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:31:32 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Accounting for roughly 90 per cent of world trade, shipping is the engine of the global economy – a dynamic industry fraught with constant changes and challenges. As the world evolves, so too does seaborne trade – supersized ships are built to outsize older models every year and technologies continuously emerge to boost efficiency in ways better than before. With nearly 170 years of expertise in... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138423/louis-dreyfus-armateurs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138423/louis-dreyfus-armateurs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:22:35 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] The increase in population, food grain production and the diversification in consumption patterns of various crops contribute to the overall growth of fertiliser production in Asia. With a 60 per cent share in the usage of nitrogen fertilisers alone, the region continued to dominate the industry last year. Such rising requirements in Asia open interesting opportunities for industry expert... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138425/fertiliser-expert?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138425/fertiliser-expert?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:18:07 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Rich in trace elements, vitamins and minerals and a major source of oxygen, food, medicine and livelihood, the world’s oceans are essential to life – but for one French natural cosmetics brand, they are also essential to beauty. For more than 30 years, Science & Mer has honed its extensive research and development (R&D) expertise in developing a full range of premium natural skincare products for the... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138424/science-mer-dives-asias?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138424/science-mer-dives-asias?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:13:51 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] Next to cataract, glaucoma figures as the second source of blindness among patients, according to ophthalmology market reports. Among the 120 million people in the world affected by glaucoma, the highest prevalence is in China with 22 million patients, a number growing at an average of 7.5 per cent annually. Thanks to the China Food and Drug Administration’s (CFDA) approval of Eye Tech Care’s EyeOP1,... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138422/eye-tech-care-brings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138422/eye-tech-care-brings?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:09:20 +0000 [Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com] When a boat carrying a group of Chinese travellers caught fire in the Maldives, Europ Assistance’s local operations personnel and doctors immediately took charge and supported each of the tourists medically and financially until they had fully recovered. The Chinese team of the travel insurance and assistance service specialist, meanwhile, informed relatives in China about the incident and medical... https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138426/europ-assistance-brings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/business/topics/france-business-report-2018/article/2138426/europ-assistance-brings?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:00:15 +0000