10/09/2013 World Business Report

Delhi. Those are the latest headlines. It is now time for the

latest financial use. —— news. is the magic still there or have

latest version of Hello and welcome.

competitors been called Asia's Steve Jobs. First, if

a Chinese called Asia's Steve Jobs. First, if

you are planning to take a plane, train or bus in France today, you

should could be facing disruption. Hundreds of air France and British

because of a strike. The reason, at because of a strike. The reason, at

government plans to reduce pension debit —— benefits. The recent raft

of tax rises have pushed taxpayers to the brink. Let's speak to our

correspondent, who joins us from Paris. It sounds like it could be a

pretty difficult day for most. Is that expected, is that what you are

thinking? Actually, I think we need to keep this in perspective. I don't

think this will think this will be a terribly

disruptive day. One never knows, but disruptive day. One never knows, but

in the past we have had lots of strikes against pension reforms,

this is the 10th or 11 that I can remember. Every year they seem to

come along. I don't think this can be compared to the really big

rolling strikes are sometimes hit. The general feeling is that it will

be a show of force by these two big be a show of force by these two big

unions, but because the other big union is not part of it, and because

these pension changes, this will not these pension changes, this will not

be one of those massive days. be one of those massive days.

Disruption, yes, but I wouldn't want Disruption, yes, but I wouldn't want

to alarm people too much. Think to alarm people too much. Think it

around. Even what you have just will be relatively OK to travel

around. Even what you have just said, is it likely that these

concerned, they will be largely unions,

ignored by the government? I think so. I

which is going through will go which is going

the public sector at all, it is the through. The plan

the public sector at all, it is the private sector. In the longer term,

it does start increasing the it does start increasing the

contributions. From 2020, and on to 2035, everyone will have to start

working longer in order to get a full pension. It is the public

sector unions who are coming out on the street because they are of the

general decision that we should bring the age of retirement back to

65. That hasn't caught the imagination of the public as a

whole. It does rather suit the government to have unions on the

streets, or at least be more high—value unions, because then they

can say they have done a bold can say they have done a bold

reform. From the other direction, they have been attacked by business

for being very timid in reforms to for being very timid in reforms to

the pension plan. Thank you. Let's talk about something we are all very

familiar with much because we bought a quarter of a billion of them last

year. If you are like me, you year. If you are like me, you

perhaps believe you cannot live without yours. We are talking about

smart phones. Later today, Apple is likely to announced new models of

year since we have seen a new phone year since we have seen a new phone

from Apple, and in that time its competitors have released several

sales expected to jump by 40% this late? I have an iPhone.

sales expected to jump by 40% this year, smart phone makers are eager

can Apple's new phone stand out in can Apple's new phone stand

this crowd? It has always been about this crowd? It has always been about

its next great product. The proof of whether Apple has lost it or not, or

whether it is too late for Apple is yet to rise. Apple is a distant

second to Samsung. While Apple sits in second, and LG in third, both

Nokia and Motorola, now a part of the Google family, are eager to be

active players in the smartphone war. For this woman there is no

question what phone she will be getting worse. —— next. I love going

to the stores, I have not considered any other phone. I always go back to

the iPhone. Why do I want to buy the new one? Because it is time to get a

new one. It is like the stars were in alignment for me. I was eligible

for an upgrade, a new one is coming out. Brand loyalty is a big part of

Apple's success. But with so many Apple's success. But with so many

other smartphones available, keeping customers will no longer be so easy.

To the Steve Jobs of the far east. This year, this man believes his

TRANSLATION: I hired the former company will sell 20 million

when will I be able to buy one of your phones in London or New York?

We still need time. So far, our phones are targeted at the domestic

market. We will require another market. We will require another year

or two. You must be concerned that the rumours that Apple or Samsung

will release a cheaper smart phone, because that will cut into your

market. I think our company has adopted a more modern method, by

selling our products to customers directly through our website. There

is no cost for advertising or shop rentals. Compared with Apple or

Samsung, we have a more advanced sales model. I don't think that she

performs will have an impact on us. Your company has been prepared to

Apple, you have been compared to Steve Jobs. —— compared. That sort

of thinking is taking things for granted. These critics don't truly

understand. The speed of our growth in the past three years, our

business gale today, and our business gale today, and our

popularity among users demonstrate our leading position.

Let's stay with Asia. We will get Let's stay with

some new data from China later. Rico Hizon is in Singapore. As ever, we

are waiting with bated breath. We have been waiting for the past two

hours but they haven't been released yet. Local markets are looking

forward to these of local consumption. It could boost

sentiment yet again, and could be indication that the mainland is on

its way out of a slump. Data out on Monday revealed the trade surplus

level this year. Inflation remains level this year. Inflation remains

under control. The question is, how sustainable is this improvement in

the economy, and the economy, and that remains

unclear. China is keeping Rico Hizon waiting. We will review the papers

in just a moment.