Wheres the Knowledge Exchange?
The question now is whether France can effectively reconquer the fast-growing Indian market, which is expected to eclipse the French economy by 2020 and become the world’s third-largest by 2035. I doubt it. Why? Because France’s trade policies are stuck in a bygone industrial era dominated by the importing and exporting of physical goods, whereas the world is rapidly moving into the digital era characterized by seamless knowledge exchange via Google (GOOG), Wikipedia, and Facebook. Need evidence of France’s archaic trade policy? Just look at the nature of deals cut between Sarkozy and Singh on July 14, and others currently under negotiation. French nuclear giant Areva (CEPFI.PA) signed a deal to sell six nuclear reactors to India. French arms suppliers like Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA) plan to sell dozens of submarines, helicopters, and fighter jets to the technology-hungry Indian military. It’s as if we were transported back to the 18th century, with Sarkozy acting as a Compagnie des I
