Business on the Swiss market is expected to pick up this week, following the Christmas and New Year holidays. A predicted interest rate rise in Britain could put pressure on Switzerland and Euroland countries to hike their rates.

Business on the Swiss market is expected to pick up this week, following the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Attention will continue to focus on the US dollar, which fell last week on fears that interest rates are set to climb in Europe.

On Wednesday, all eyes will be on the Bank of England, which may decide on a rise in interest rates to keep inflationary pressures under control.

This would put further pressure on Euroland countries and Switzerland to increase their interest rates.

In Switzerland, the federal statistics office will be releasing details on Monday on Swiss government expenditure on research and development projects.

But with activity still low on the domestic front, the main focus of Swiss market attention will remain on the international front. Ministers of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Opec, will meet in Vienna on Friday for talks which could have an impact on oil prices.

By Tom O'Brien

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative