Archive – Banking & Fintech

Doctors protest against freeze on private practices

This content was published on Jun 27, 2002 Wearing red items of clothing to symbolise their anger and alarm, more than 3,000 protestors took part in a series of marches and one-day strikes, organised by the Junior Doctors Assocation. The doctors have dismissed government claims that the freeze will help reduce spiralling health costs. The cabinet is expected to announce its decision next…

EFTA members sign free trade accord with Singapore

This content was published on Jun 27, 2002 The trade agreement – which is due to take effect on January 1 2003 – will remove all tariffs governing industrial exports between Singapore and EFTA member states. The agreement was signed on the first day of a two-day meeting attended by the Swiss economics minister, Pascal Couchepin. “Trade between EFTA and Singapore last year…

Villiger rejects “unacceptable” EU criticism

This content was published on Jun 27, 2002 Speaking out on the issue for the second time in a week, Villiger said the tone of recent comments from EU leaders on the twin issues of banking secrecy and savings taxation was “unacceptable”. Last week, the German finance minister, Hans Eichel, warned that Switzerland risked becoming isolated over its reluctance to cooperate with the…

SAirGroup creditors told to wait

This content was published on Jun 27, 2002 Creditors, including former Swissair employees, banks, suppliers and foreign partners, were demanding SFr72 billion from the three companies built around Swissair – SAirGroup, SAirLines, and Flightlease. SAirGroup alone is facing claims of around SFr38 billion. Although the meeting had been expected to be stormy, creditors present reacted calmly to the announcement by the court-appointed administrator,…

Chugai shareholders accept Roche merger offer

This content was published on Jun 27, 2002 At a meeting in Tokyo on Thursday, ninety per cent of shareholders voted to accept the merger, three weeks after Roche increased its tender offer to buy a majority stake of 50.1 per cent in the Japanese company. Earlier this month, Roche upped its offer by 31 per cent to 2,800 yen per share (SFr35)…

Place your bets!

This content was published on Jun 27, 2002 On Thursday, the first of 21 casinos – all of which were awarded an operating licence by the Swiss government last year – will open its doors to the public. Until now, only casinos with slot machines were legally allowed to operate in Switzerland, but the Lucerne casino will be one of seven to operate…

Prospects rise for gold-diggers

This content was published on Jun 26, 2002 The simple and quick technique could benefit mining companies, who traditionally analyse large amounts of rocks from drill holes to determine the quantity of metals and minerals. The new approach analyses specks of rock, just a few micrometres across, which were swept up from the earth’s crust during volcanic activity and can be gathered as…

Expo offers a night to remember

This content was published on Jun 26, 2002 Whether you choose to stay in the teepee village, train or module hotel, you will not be given a key to your room. There is no lock on any of the teepee entrances which are made of heavy-duty canvas and weighed down with a wooden pole. The train converted into a youth hostel offers a…

Switzerland pays out SFr1 million to Holocaust victims

This content was published on Jun 26, 2002 The payments were made as part of a special programme to find the owners of unclaimed assets from the Second World War. The programme – not connected with the much-larger SFr1.85 billion ($1.25 billion) settlement between Swiss banks and victims of the Nazi regime – was targeted mainly at East Europeans who were unable to…

Serono bids for French biotech firm

This content was published on Jun 26, 2002 “The offer for Genset is a continuation of our strategy of selective research and development investments,” said Ernesto Bertarelli, CEO of Serono, in a statement released on Wednesday. “This investment will further develop our genomics drug discovery platform and feed our pipeline,” he added. The Geneva-based firm has offered cash for all outstanding shares in…

Archive – Banking & Fintech

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Archive – Banking & Fintech

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Doctors protest against freeze on private practices

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EFTA members sign free trade accord with Singapore

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Villiger rejects “unacceptable” EU criticism

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SAirGroup creditors told to wait

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Chugai shareholders accept Roche merger offer

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Place your bets!

More

Prospects rise for gold-diggers

More

Expo offers a night to remember

More

Switzerland pays out SFr1 million to Holocaust victims

More

Serono bids for French biotech firm

Popular Stories

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