Archive – Banking & Fintech

Economy chief urges sweeping reform

This content was published on Jan 7, 2005 In an interview with swissinfo, Jean-Daniel Gerber said one of the main problems in the domestic economy was the lack of competition. Earlier on Friday, Gerber told a news conference that reform was most urgently needed in the social sector, where the aging population and the weakness of economic growth were threatening the financing of…

Countries urged not to plunder aid coffers

This content was published on Jan 6, 2005 The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) says the relief effort should not come at the expense of humanitarian crises in countries like Sudan. “Our immediate concern is the victims in Asia, but it would be a shame if long-term help to other areas of crisis or conflict was short changed because of the…

ICRC calls for united tsunami relief effort

This content was published on Jan 6, 2005 World leaders and aid workers met in Jakarta on Thursday to discuss how to deal with the aftermath of the worst natural disaster in decades. Summit participants welcomed the idea of debt relief for countries hit by the disaster, and supported the creation of a tsunami early warning system. The Swiss-run ICRC hoped that the…

Uncorking the secrets of Geneva’s countryside

This content was published on Jan 5, 2005 Published in English, “Touring Geneva Wine Country” offers a unique taste of the region’s picturesque landscape and flourishing vineyards. “Geneva is not really perceived as a place that’s culturally very interesting,” said the guide’s American-Swiss author, Gail Mangold-Vine. “But when you get out there and take a closer look, there is so much to do…

Firms pledge aid to quake victims

This content was published on Jan 5, 2005 Among the biggest spenders to date are the country’s largest bank UBS, the cement producer Holcim, the Swatch Group, Zurich Financial Services and the pharmaceuticals company Novartis. UBS is to donate SFr3.44 million, Holcim SFr3 million, Swatch SFr2.5 million, with Zurich and Novartis each chipping in SFr2.29 million. The most generous according to the amount…

Farmers face up to future challenges

This content was published on Jan 4, 2005 The farmers’ union revealed at a press conference on Tuesday that it had devised several proposals to help its members prepare for the future. The union’s president, Hansjörg Walter, said that last year had been “economically satisfying” due to a good harvest. In all, farming revenue had risen by three per cent but this could…

Swiss consider debt freeze for Asian nations

This content was published on Jan 4, 2005 One nation that could benefit is Indonesia, which owes Bern more than SFr440 million ($380.7 million). Discussions are set to take place with other creditor nations, including Britain, Germany and Italy, under the aegis of the Paris Club on January 12. Representing Switzerland at the talks will be the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco)…

Watch sector ticks along nicely

This content was published on Jan 4, 2005 As the industry looks back on a bumper year, swissinfo talks to Jean-Daniel Pasche, president of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, about what Swiss watchmakers are doing right – and what they still need to do better. Watch exports hit a record high in November and export sales revenue, which accounts for some…

2005 rings in a new record

This content was published on Jan 2, 2005 The messages sent by SMS (Short Message Service) or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) were six per cent up on last year’s figure of 66.4 million. Although the trend to send MMS greetings is on the increase, the number of SMS messages sent over the holiday period still made up the larger proportion. Despite the high…

Road hauliers face higher costs in 2005

This content was published on Dec 31, 2004 At the same time, neighbouring Germany is introducing a blanket charge on all heavy vehicles using motorways, which is likely to have a major impact on Swiss hauliers. Switzerland’s tax hike means European transport firms which use the alpine country as a transit route will find it much more expensive to transport goods by road…

Archive – Banking & Fintech

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Archive – Banking & Fintech

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Economy chief urges sweeping reform

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Countries urged not to plunder aid coffers

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ICRC calls for united tsunami relief effort

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Uncorking the secrets of Geneva’s countryside

More

Firms pledge aid to quake victims

More

Farmers face up to future challenges

More

Swiss consider debt freeze for Asian nations

More

Watch sector ticks along nicely

More

2005 rings in a new record

More

Road hauliers face higher costs in 2005

Popular Stories

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