Swiss government boosts funding to tap Alps’ economic potential
Switzerland's government has agreed to a funding package of CHF20 million ($20.2 million) to strengthen economic development in remote mountain regions.
The Federal Council (executive branch) on Wednesday announcedExternal link it would increase support for concrete pilot measures that develop mountain regions as part of the country’s new regional policy. Remote areas, in particular, haven’t been able to take full advantage of existing economic promotion tools, the government noted in a press release.
Some measures being explored include adapting the concept of an “exportation base” to mountain regions. This is intended to encourage local residents and visitors to buy goods and services produced in the region.
The government also envisages small infrastructure projects that improve accessibility, boosting local attractiveness. There are also plans to provide technical assistance to local leaders to develop project ideas and access funding.
Pilot measures could be implemented as early as 2020 and, if effective, may be integrated into the next regional plan slated for 2024.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss tourism boasted record summer season
This content was published on
The number of overnight stays increased by 2.6% during the summer season, according to figures published on Tuesday by the Centre for Economic Studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (KOF). The tourism industry registered more than 22 million overnight stays – making it clear that a record was set although the final tally is…
Swiss minister sounds climate alarm over high mountain regions
This content was published on
There is an urgent need to act on behalf of these regions, which are disproportionately affected by global warming, he says.
The world’s highest mountains hold vital climate change lessons
This content was published on
Swiss glaciologist Christian Huggel talks to swissinfo.ch about the effects of the climate crisis on high mountain regions.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.