France Picks: GE is the One for Alstom
work and added it would buy a 20 percent stake in the hotly-contested company. Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg said he had used a newly- created state decree to reject both of the existing offers as not being in France's strategic interest, and had formulated fresh demands to GE Chief Executive Jeff Immelt. The decision ended weeks of suspense surrounding one of Europe's fiercest industrial battles in years, but left open major questions about the final shape of an alliance which GE hopes will give it access to new power markets. "The points we have raised with General Electric are precise
GE CEO Immelt: Expects to Close Alstom Deal
General Electric Co Chief Executive Jeff Immelt said on Wednesday that GE is still going to "work constructively" with the French government on its bid for the power business of Alstom and that he expects the deal to close. GE has encountered resistance to its $16.9 billion proposal from the government, which has sought to encourage Germany's Siemens as a potential rival bidder. But Immelt told an investor conference on Wednesday that, "We wouldn't have started if we didn't think we could finish." "It's a deal that's executable. It's a deal we're experienced in. It's a
