France Tightens Grip on State-Backed Companies

Source from:  Financial Times 08/04/2010

The French government tightened its grip on part state-owned companies to ensure they maintain factories and jobs in France. Nicolas Sarkozy, president on Tuesday appointed a senior business figure to run a revamped agency responsible for government shareholdings. Jean-Dominique Comolli, deputy chairman of Imperial Tobacco, will act as commissioner for state shareholdings, reporting directly to Christine Lagarde, finance minister. Enditem