Economic investment cooling down
Business investment is slowing down, according to the latest figures by the Institute for Business Cycle Research. It's the first time in three years that investment levels are set to fall.
The latest survey of Swiss business released on Monday shows that the percentage difference in those expecting investment and those forecasting contraction came out at 21.1 points for 2001. The figure for 2000 was 35.7 points.
The service sector such as finance, IT and telecoms expect their levels of investment to decline due mainly to a lack of skilled workers.
By contrast, the majority of old-style industrial companies expect to increase their investment levels.
The financial, information technology and telecommunications sectors are expected to be worst hit, with many suffering from a lack of skilled workers.
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