Switzerland Today

Greetings from Bern,

There is a chill in the air with heavy rains in central and eastern parts of the country. Time to wrap up and sip hot cocoa.

© Keystone / Laurent Gillieron

In the news : Geneva Motor Show, hearing aids, new resort and paying for publicity

• The Geneva International Motor Show has been cancelled External linkfor the fourth time in row. One of the world’s top auto expos will no longer take place as scheduled in February 2023. Organisers blamed inflation and the war in Ukraine for poor registrations and freeze on new car models. Car aficionados will have to wait until November 2023 for the Qatar edition of the show. 
• Hearing aids are big business. Just ask Swiss multinational Sonova that made over CHF3.3 billion last year with an eye-watering 29% growth in business. The company has now acquired Chinese firm HYSOUNDExternal link that operates 200 audiological care clinics. Sonova is counting on an ageing population and growing middle class in China to continue raking in the profits.
• Egyptian entrepreneur Samih Sawiris is at it again. The man behind the Andermatt Chedi resorts is investing in a new complex of holiday apartmentsExternal link further to the east in Dieni near Sedrun in canton Graubünden. A total of 13 buildings with 410 hotel rooms and 119 holiday apartments are planned for 2027, provided planning permission is obtained. 
• Valais has become the first canton in Switzerland to pay producers to feature in filmsExternal link. A budget of CHF1.9 million has been set aside for the purpose over the next four years. A maximum payout of CHF100,00 per film with a view to putting the canton on the map for filmmakers and tourists alike. 

Keystone / Sascha Steinbach

Taking the temperature: First polls on September 25 votes are out

With a little over a month to go, our parent company, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, has published the first poll results ahead of the September 25 votes. It seems like the vote over ending factory farming could be a close contest. The reform of old age pensions system has decent backing while it is too early to speculate on a reform of the withholding tax.  

From Argentina to Lugano: Alexia Berni zVg

Swiss Abroad Congress: Lugano hosts annual gathering of expats from around the world

The Congress of the Swiss Abroad takes place this weekend. We speak to some of the Swiss Abroad who are travelling to the southern Swiss city.

“When I think of Lugano, I imagine a beautiful and for me unknown part of Switzerland – firstly because of the [Italian] language, and secondly because of the scenery,” says Alexia Berni from Argentina. 

This will be her first Swiss Abroad congress. Her expectations include getting to know her counterparts and sharing experiences with other Swiss Abroad.

“The most important thing for me, however, is to bring back answers to the questions and needs of my 16,000 compatriots in Argentina,” she says.

Here’s your last chance to tell us what you want from the Swiss Abroad Congress.