Economy

Commisisioner responsable of Economy and Monetary Affairs Joaquim Almunia (L) speaks with Spanish Minister of Economy and Finance Elena Salgado as they arrive for the Eurogroup meeting alongside the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde (R) walks with her adviser Franck Saudo towards a meeting with representatives of small and medium enterprises on October 12, 2009 at the Economy ministry in Paris. The meeting was held to devise ways to facilitate 'access to the market for the small and medium enterprises'.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde (C), her adviser Franck Saudo (2dL) and Herve de Villeroche, a director at her ministry (2dR) attend a meeting with representatives of small and medium enterprises on October 12, 2009 at the Economy ministry in Paris. The meeting was held to devise ways to facilitate 'access to the market for the small and medium enterprises'.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde (2dR), her adviser Franck Saudo (3dR) and Herve de Villeroche, a director at her ministry (R) attend a meeting with representatives of small and medium enterprises on October 12, 2009 at the Economy ministry in Paris. The meeting was held to devise ways to facilitate 'access to the market for the small and medium enterprises'.

EU Commissioner in charge of Economy and Monetary Affairs Joaquim Almunia (L) fixes the tie of Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti (C) under the sight of Spanish Minister of Economy and Finance Elena Salgado (R) before the group photo of ministers of Finance during the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009. European countries met on today to kickstart plans to end economic pump priming, but hesitated to commit to fixed dates for a coordinated exit stategy tackling bloated deficits.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde (L) salutes Jean-Francois Roubaud (C), the head of Small and medium enterprises organisation CGPME before a meeting with representatives of small and medium enterprises on October 12, 2009 at the Economy ministry in Paris. The meeting was held to devise ways to facilitate 'access to the market for the small and medium enterprises'.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (R) flanked by French central bank governor Christian Noyer, gestures as she speaks with journalists during a press conference at the end of a working session of the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009. European countries met today to kickstart plans to end economic pump priming, but hesitated to commit to fixed dates for a coordinated exit stategy tackling bloated deficits.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (R) speaks to journalists during a press conference at the end of a working session of the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009. European countries met today to kickstart plans to end economic pump priming, but hesitated to commit to fixed dates for a coordinated exit stategy tackling bloated deficits.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (R) and French Foreign and European affairs minister Bernard Kouchner leave at the end of the weekly cabinet meeting on november 04 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (R) talks with chairman of the BNP Paribas French banking group, Michel Pebereau after a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on October 1, 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. World leaders agreed on measures aimed at curbing bankers' bonuses at last week's Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde arrives for a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on October 1, 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. World leaders agreed on measures aimed at curbing bankers' bonuses at last week's Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde gestures before a press conference at the end of a working session of the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009. European countries met today to kickstart plans to end economic pump priming, but hesitated to commit to fixed dates for a coordinated exit stategy tackling bloated deficits.

Newly appointed Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Mohammed Safadi arrives to attend the first cabinet meeting at the presidential palace of Baabda, east of Beirut, on November 10, 2009. The new government was formed late on November 9 by Prime Minister Saad Hariri following more than four months of tough negotiations with the Hezbollah-led opposition on the distribution of portfolios and the choice of ministers.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama leaves after making a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama walks to the podium before making a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (R) talks with chairman of the BNP Paribas French banking group, Michel Pebereau after a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on October 1, 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. World leaders agreed on measures aimed at curbing bankers' bonuses at last week's Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde arrives for a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on October 1, 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. World leaders agreed on measures aimed at curbing bankers' bonuses at last week's Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde gestures as she speaks with journalists during a press conference at the end of a working session of the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009. European countries met today to kickstart plans to end economic pump priming, but hesitated to commit to fixed dates for a coordinated exit stategy tackling bloated deficits.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (R) and French Foreign and European affairs minister Bernard Kouchner (L) leave at the end of the weekly cabinet meeting on November 4, 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (C) and French Foreign and European affairs minister Bernard Kouchner (L) leave at the end of the weekly cabinet meeting on November 4, 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (R) and French Foreign and European affairs minister Bernard Kouchner (L) leave at the end of the weekly cabinet meeting on November 4, 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde (R) gestures as she speaks with journalists during a press conference at the end of a working session of the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009. European countries met today to kickstart plans to end economic pump priming, but hesitated to commit to fixed dates for a coordinated exit stategy tackling bloated deficits.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde (L) speaks with deputy minister for Family affairs Nadine Morano during the weekly session of the questions to the government on October 6, 2009 at the National Assembly in Paris.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama walks to the podium before making a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

French Minister for Economy, Industry and Employment Christine Lagarde (R) and her Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam exchange documents after signing a tax protocol in Singapore on November 13, 2009. Singapore cleared the final hurdle for complying with stricter standards for global banking centres after signing an agreement with France on the sharing of tax information.

French Minister for Economy, Industry and Employment Christine Lagarde speaks to media representatives after signing a tax protocol agreement with her Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam in Singapore on November 13, 2009. Singapore has cleared the final hurdle for complying with stricter standards for global banking centres after signing an agreement with France on the sharing of tax information.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde calls journalists during a press conference at the end of a working session of the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009. European countries met today to kickstart plans to end economic pump priming, but hesitated to commit to fixed dates for a coordinated exit stategy tackling bloated deficits.

Omani National Economy Minister Saud bin Ahmad bin Abdel Nabi Mekki attends a meeting of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with International Monetary Fund (IMF) director Dominique Strauss-Kahn in Muscat on October 17, 2009. Kuwait, one of four Gulf states to sign a pact to launch a monetary union and single currency, called earlier this week for a delay in the 2010 launch date, citing incomplete preparations. The remaining two GCC members, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, did not sign after deciding to withdraw from the project.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama leaves after making a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama leaves after making a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

French Minister for Economy, Industry and Employment Christine Lagarde (R) and her Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam shake hands as they exchange documents after signing a tax protocol in Singapore on November 13, 2009. Singapore cleared the final hurdle for complying with stricter standards for global banking centres after signing an agreement with France on the sharing of tax information.

French Minister for Economy, Industry and Employment Christine Lagarde (R) and her Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam leave a signing ceremony after they signed a tax protocol in Singapore on November 13, 2009. Singapore has cleared the final hurdle for complying with stricter standards for global banking centres after signing an agreement with France on the sharing of tax information.

French Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde arrives for a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on October 1, 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. World leaders agreed on measures aimed at curbing bankers' bonuses at last week's Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde (L) speaks with deputy minister for Family affairs Nadine Morano during the weekly session of the questions to the government on October 6, 2009 at the National Assembly in Paris.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde (C) kisses Industry Minister Christian Estrosi as Foreign affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner (L) looks on when leaving the weekly cabinet meeting on november 16 2009 at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Giulio Tremonti (R) speaks with Luc Frieden (L), Luxembourg's Minister of the Treasury, following a family photo after the Eurogroup working session alongside the informal ECOFIN meeting at the Eriksberghallen in Gothenburg on October 1, 2009. European countries met today to kickstart plans to end economic pump priming, but hesitated to commit to fixed dates for a coordinated exit stategy tackling bloated deficits.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde (L) speaks with deputy minister for Family affairs Nadine Morano during the weekly session of the questions to the government on October 6, 2009 at the National Assembly in Paris.

WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 12: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Obama later departed on his first official trip to Asia where he will make stops in four countries including China.

French Minister for Economy, Industry and Employment Christine Lagarde (R) and her Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam sign a tax protocol agreement in Singapore on November 13, 2009. Singapore has cleared the final hurdle for complying with stricter standards for global banking centres after signing an agreement with France on the sharing of tax information.