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Switzerland – due to its central location in Europe – has long been a key staging point for the transportation and transiting of goods. As a result, sophisticated local companies have extended their reach far beyond the country’s borders. With manufacturers sub-contracting more and more work abroad, especially for spare parts, transport now represents an…
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Switzerland is one of the world’s oldest tourist destinations. Twenty years ago, it was still among the top ten. Since then, tourism has stagnated, having been overtaken by the boom in large parts of Asia and the Gulf States. Half of Swiss revenues from the tourist industry come from foreigners. Winter tourism generates the most…
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Thanks to long-term security, a stable currency, a central position in Europe and banking secrecy – codified in a 1934 law – Switzerland has long enjoyed an excellent reputation for banking and finance, and wealth management services. Swiss financial institutions manage a third of the world’s offshore savings, or around ten per cent of all…
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For many years now, the services sector has been the main driver of the Swiss economy, growing stronger as time goes by. Banking, insurance, tourism as well as logistics have been traditionally the main representatives of the sector. Swiss made has become a trademark of Swiss quality and origin for services. But the Swiss don’t…
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The Swiss food industry is made up of both international firms and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Global leaders like Nestlé employ around 250,000 people around the world and produce a diversity of food products. At the other end of the scale, mountain farmers and tradesmen produce traditional goods. These producers all promote the Swiss-made…
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That Switzerland is the home of watchmaking is an established fact. Its origins stretch back four centuries, and Swiss watches account for half the world market in terms of value. The industry continues to tick over, only occasionally disturbed by the boom of the counterfeit market. But Swiss watchmakers could lose some know-how to competitors…
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The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is one of Switzerland’s major business sectors. More than three quarters of its products are life-science related, highlighting a trend towards innovative high-value specialty products. The industry represents around a third of all Swiss exports, worth more than SFr55 billion in 2005. SFr100 billion: the combined revenues of the ten…
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Switzerland’s export industry is made up of thousands of small and medium-sized companies, but many multinationals as well. These firms – Swatch, Nestlé, Novartis and ABB to name but a few – are leaders in their field. Around one million people work in Switzerland’s export industry. Some regions are so-called technology clusters, such as the…
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The state-controlled company reported a SFr759 million ($617.2 million) net profit and a slight drop in revenues. Core profit – earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation – fell by 17.5 per cent to SFr1.8 billion, a company statement said on Wednesday. Analysts say the result is mainly due to a SFr180 million fine for…
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The material world covers the infinitely large to the infinitely small. In Switzerland, this is reflected by the large number of researchers trying either to understand it or manipulate it. Astrophysicists are hunting invisible planets beyond out solar system, while other scientists are seeking new technologies that could improve the quality of our lives. 200…
