Cluster: Archive

Fat tax finds lean support

This content was published on Feb 27, 2004 Both health experts and the food industry doubt whether a tax would solve the problem of obesity. Heiner Studer, a Protestant Party parliamentarian, plans to introduce his proposal during the spring parliamentary session, which began on March 1. “The main idea is to force the food industry to change the kind of foods it produces,”…

ABB poaches Sulzer boss for top job

This content was published on Feb 27, 2004 Fred Kindle is chief executive officer of technology rival Sulzer and will replace Dormann at the start of 2005. Dormann will remain chairman of ABB for at least “one to two years”. Although some analysts expressed surprise at the choice – many were expecting an appointment from within ABB’s ranks – Kindle’s youth and his…

Postal workers protest over pay and longer hours

This content was published on Feb 27, 2004 They were demonstrating against a major cost-cutting programme and plans to scrap their collective labour contract. A two-hour work stoppage also took place in Geneva, Lausanne, Biel, Lucerne, St Gallen and in canton Ticino. The Communications Union claims changes planned by Swiss Post to the collective work contract will lead to increased hours, lower wages…

Government facing financial challenge

This content was published on Feb 26, 2004 The president, Joseph Deiss, said it was important to find new ways of reducing expenditure by about SFr2.5 billion ($2 billion) and balancing the budget. Despite cuts of SFr3.5 billion already voted by parliament, the authorities say they have no choice but to implement another cost-cutting programme. The federal budget is expected to be SFr2.9…

Inspectors dish the dirt on Swiss restaurants

This content was published on Feb 26, 2004 Consumer groups are calling on the authorities to expose the culprits by publishing a list of dirty restaurants. The stereotype of Switzerland as a paragon of cleanliness is severely challenged by the data supplied each year by the cantonal laboratories, which carry out spot checks on catering establishments. “You don’t need to go to the…

Adecco claims support from key shareholders

This content was published on Feb 26, 2004 Shares in Adecco rose sharply on Thursday amid news that the Swiss billionaire, Klaus Jacobs, would rejoin the company’s board. In another boost to investors, the agency also said it had found “no evidence demonstrating major misappropriations or irregularities.” Jacobs last month warned that management had until April to restore investor trust, severely damaged in…

Swiss free ports seek to improve their image

This content was published on Feb 26, 2004 The free port of Geneva – one of the biggest in Switzerland – welcomes the development, which it hopes will improve the image of the customs posts. The ports’ reputation has been harmed in recent months amid reports of works of art being smuggled across Switzerland’s borders. But on Tuesday, Geneva free port authorities sought…

Swiss Siberia offers a warm welcome

This content was published on Feb 26, 2004 The frigid reputation of La Brévine in the Jura hills may scare many away, but visitors willing to brave the cold receive a warm welcome. In his La Brévine apartment, pensioner Marcel Blondeau spreads out a piece of paper on the dining room table on which he has jotted down a few of the record…

Nestlé profit falls

This content was published on Feb 26, 2004 The weakness of the dollar pushed overall sales down 1.3 per cent to SFr87.98 billion. The Vevey-based group said on Thursday the results were in line with expectations. The maker of Nescafe coffee, ice cream, chocolate and Perrier water said it had experienced a successful year with strong organic growth and improved margins. Disregarding currency…

Banks hit back at “capital flight” claims

This content was published on Feb 25, 2004 The Swiss Bankers Association lashed out on Wednesday at critics who last month accused the country of encouraging “capital flight”. “It is a fact that many developing countries have barely-functioning financial markets and thus offer few opportunities for investment,” said Urs Roth, the association’s chief executive. “As long as wealthy people in the developing countries…

Cluster: Archive

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Cluster: Archive

More

Fat tax finds lean support

More

ABB poaches Sulzer boss for top job

More

Postal workers protest over pay and longer hours

More

Government facing financial challenge

More

Inspectors dish the dirt on Swiss restaurants

More

Adecco claims support from key shareholders

More

Swiss free ports seek to improve their image

More

Swiss Siberia offers a warm welcome

More

Nestlé profit falls

More

Banks hit back at “capital flight” claims

Popular Stories

Most Discussed