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Christine Lagarde, French Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment, today visited the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the world’s leading equities market and a subsidiary of NYSE Euronext (NYX). While at the NYSE, Minister Lagarde addressed critical international economic issues and the growing role of Paris in global finance with several business leaders, including NYSE Euronext’s Chief Executive Officer, Duncan L. Niederauer, and Deputy CEO, Jean-Francois Théodore.
“The strong ties that unite Paris global financial centre and NYSE Euronext are of particular importance to me at a time when business and government in France are making headlong progress on an ambitious competitiveness and reform agenda,” Mrs. Lagarde said. “As the leading stock market of the eurozone, Paris offers the best global financial skills and is the gate to a deep liquidity pool with assets worth $12 trillion under management in Europe of which $4 trillion managed locally in France .”
"It is a great privilege for NYSE Euronext to host Minister Lagarde, who during her visit provided valuable insights on the international economy and underscored the many opportunities and benefits that exist in doing business with France ," Mr. Niederauer said. "As a key player in the global economy, France is extremely fortunate to have a skilled and knowledgeable individual in Minister Lagarde to represent its people, the business community and the nation."
"We have worked very closely with Minister Lagarde to further enhance the attractiveness of Paris as a global financial centre and to ensure its key role as the financial centre for the eurozone. With Minister Lagarde's support, significant achievements have already been made, including the abolition of the stamp duty, the simplification of the publications related to listing, and the creation of the professional compartment to attract international companies to Paris ," said Jean-Francois Theodore.
CHRISTINE LAGARDE, Minister for Economy, Finance and Employment
Christine Lagarde was appointed Minister for Economy, Finance and Employment on June 19th, in the second Government of Prime Minister François Fillon.
Born in Paris in 1956, Christine Lagarde completed her undergraduate studies in Le Havre . She then obtained degrees in Social Law (University of Paris X ), and Master degrees from the Institute of Political Studies (Aix en Provence ), and the Holton Arms School (Bethesda , USA ).
After being admitted as a lawyer to the Paris Bar, Christine Lagarde joined the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie as an associate, specializing in Labour and Anti-trust Law. Mrs. Lagarde became Chairman of the Global Executive Committee of Baker & Mckenzie in 1999, and subsequently Chairman of the Global Strategic Committee in 2004. Under her leadership, Baker & McKenzie increased their gross revenues by 50 %, and ended the fiscal year 2004 at USD 1.228bln.
In 2004, Christine Lagarde was ranked the 30th most influential woman in the world by Forbes magazine, and the 5th best European executive woman by The Wall Street Journal Europe.
Asked by the French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, to join his Government in June 2005, Christine Lagarde decided to put her skills and work experience to the service of her country. Her nomination as Minister of Foreign Trade allowed Mrs Lagarde to use her negotiation skills during the World Trade Organization talks. She also promoted French exportations. After a brief stint as Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries under the newly elected President Nicolas Sarkozy she became the first woman to hold the post of Finance and Economy Minister of a G 7 country thanks to the ministerial reshuffle of June 2007. Her nomination was widely acclaimed in the international press.
Mrs. Lagarde has also a great sportsmanship reputation - she was a member of the French national team of synchronized swimming.
Mrs. Lagarde has two sons.
She is Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur.
