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Swiss NGOs criticise WTO drug agreement

This content was published on Aug 30, 2003 They claim that the accord – agreed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva on Saturday – contains reams of red tape which will stop drugs reaching those in need. The agreement sets out conditions under which patents can be waived to allow developing countries to import cheap generic drugs to fight critical diseases…

Critical patriots

This content was published on Aug 30, 2003 Around 600,000 Swiss already live abroad and 20 of them are portrayed in a new book. “I wouldn’t describe myself as a patriot. But when I hear the national anthem in the embassy on Swiss national day, I feel a tightening in my throat and have to hold back my tears.” Irma Mishellany-Isenegger has been…

Swiss offer trade expertise to Vietnam

This content was published on Aug 29, 2003 The Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, underscored the importance of such cooperation during an annual development conference in Lausanne on Friday. “Swiss investment can only bear fruit if our partner countries are ready to take on the challenges of development, change and transition,” said Calmy-Rey during her speech at the conference. “They must also share…

Swiss firms fail to take up HIV challenge

This content was published on Aug 29, 2003 The size of the struggle ahead is clear: of the 700 firms asked to participate in the scheme, less than 30 have said yes. The idea behind www.workpositive.ch is so that people can see which firms support the employment of HIV sufferers, while those looking for jobs can advertise their skills. “We want to make…

Swiss Re storms into the black

This content was published on Aug 29, 2003 Total premiums generated during the first half of this year also rose, climbing four per cent to SFr14.4 billion. The company produced positive results across all business units, with non-life divisions heading the field. Company spokeswoman Samantha Whiteley told swissinfo that the hike in profits was due to a combination of factors. “Most important are…

Did you know? Test your knowledge of Swiss wines

This content was published on Aug 29, 2003 Around 55 per cent of Switzerland’s production is white wine, and 45 per cent is red wine. Only one per cent of the total wine produced in Switzerland is exported, amounting to 700,000 litres a year. Switzerland’s most important wine growing regions in terms of volume are canton Valais, Vaud, Geneva and Ticino. Switzerland produces…

ABB raises much-needed cash

This content was published on Aug 28, 2003 The Swiss-Swedish group said on Thursday that it was going to sell convertible bonds, taking advantage of current low interest rates. Such financial instruments earn interest for investors even when the stock is trading down. When the stock price rises, the value of the bond increases. The news sent the share price surging by more…

Investors vie for Opto Speed assets

This content was published on Aug 28, 2003 Those vying for control are primarily former managers of the firm. “Customers of Opto Speed are urgently awaiting the delivery of a verdict and so creditors have arranged for an attorney to manage a solution as quickly as possible,” says the local authority, the notary public in Thalwil. The firm makes lasers, super-bright light emitting…

Strong franc hits Holcim profit

This content was published on Aug 28, 2003 In a statement from Zurich, the company said that sales had fallen by 9.9 per cent to SFr5.80 billion, mainly due to negative exchange rate movements. Holcim, formerly Holderbank, pointed out that the US dollar alone had devalued by 17.2 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year. However, it said that productivity gains…

The red planet comes closer

This content was published on Aug 27, 2003 Stargazers in Switzerland were hoping for a clear sighting of the red planet, which is now the brightest object in the night sky apart from the Moon. Earth and Mars move at different speeds around the Sun. At present the Sun is on one side of Earth and Mars is on the other. For astronomers…

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Swiss NGOs criticise WTO drug agreement

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Critical patriots

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Swiss offer trade expertise to Vietnam

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Swiss firms fail to take up HIV challenge

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Swiss Re storms into the black

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Did you know? Test your knowledge of Swiss wines

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ABB raises much-needed cash

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Investors vie for Opto Speed assets

More

Strong franc hits Holcim profit

More

The red planet comes closer

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