Doing Business In (Insert Country Name Here) - BNA

special nature of financial markets, specifics are also laid out for contractual
withdrawal.
Key Link: [http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cons_int/fina_serv/index_en.htm]
Direct Marketing Over the Internet
The e-commerce Directive (2000/31/EC) imposes certain specific requirements
connected to the direct marketing business. Promotional offers must not mislead
customers and the terms that must be met to qualify for them have to be easily
accessible and clear. The Directive stipulates that marketing Emails must be identified
as such to the recipient and requires that companies targeting customers on-line must
regularly consult national opt-out registers where they exist. When an order is placed,
the service provider must acknowledge receipt quickly and by electronic means,
although the Directive does not attribute any legal effect to the placing of an order or its
acknowledgment. This is a matter for national law. Vendors of electronically supplied
services (such as software, which the EU considers a service and not a good) must also
collect value added tax (see Electronic Commerce section below).
Key Link: [http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/e-commerce/index_en.htm]
The French direct marketing market for consumer products and services is one of the
largest in the world. It accounted for USD 22.5 billion (Euro 18.0 billion) in 2006,
growing 17 percent. Sales through the mail have trended downward in recent years just
as telephone and specifically Internet sales have rapidly expanded. Internet sales
represent 66 percent of total direct marketing sales. In 2006, 73 percent of French
households bought through direct marketing, and 19 million online buyers made an
average purchase of USD 112 (Euro 90). Today 63 percent of Internet users have
already purchased on-line, primary services and travel packages, followed by hi-tech
and cultural products.
Twenty-eight percent of French companies buy on-line and B-to-B e-commerce in 2006
accounted for USD 12.5 billion (Euro 10 billion). IT and office equipment represent 60
percent of sales while business travel and marketing/consulting services accounted for
26 and 14 percent respectively.
Joint Ventures/Licensing Return to top
A joint venture with a French firm is one recommended approach. The French
government encourages this type of investment and offers a wide range of incentives.
Traditionally, a French joint venture partner strengthens the marketing activities of an
American firm with its in-place distribution system. In certain industries, French
manufacturers have skills that supplement those of the American partner. A joint
venture with a French firm that has full French government support can be beneficial as
long as manufacturing decisions can be made independently of government
involvement. Recognizing the differences in each market is essential for success. It is
recommended that companies interested in forming joint ventures consult with the U.S.
Commercial Service at the Embassy in Paris before making any alliances.
2/15/2008 Country Commercial Guide for France 12
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
© 2007. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.