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Dale Bechtel finds that slow motion travel is picking up steam

This content was published on Jul 22, 2000 Even though it was a cold, wet day in the alpine village of Gletsch, the rail enthusiasts weren’t going to let the weather dampen their spirits. They had just finished restoring a stretch of track to considerably lengthen the short journey between Gletsch and the town of Realp, 13 kilometres away in the valley below.…

Week in Review

This content was published on Jul 22, 2000 Around 500 shareholders attended the group’s extraordinary general meeting in Zurich. The merger will be finalised if at least 67 per cent of Algroup’s shares are tendered in a swap to begin at the end of August. The deal should be wrapped up in mid-October. The new group will have revenues of SFr20 billion and…

Revealing secrets of the castle keeps

This content was published on Jul 22, 2000 The count bought the enchanting edifice on Lake Thun for what at that time was the princely sum of SFr50,000. Like him, tourists first came to the Bernese Oberland in the first half of the 19th century, drawn by the paddle steamers, which still ply many of Switzerland’s lakes. Until that time the region was…

Switzerland to release Abacha funds to Nigeria

This content was published on Jul 21, 2000 The amount to be returned comes from $670 million in accounts frozen by the Swiss authorities in response to the Nigerian government’s search for funds stashed abroad by Abacha, his relatives and associates. Abacha is accused by Nigeria of systematically pillaging the Nigerian central bank during his five-year rule, which ended in June 1998 when…

Post Office price rises blocked

This content was published on Jul 21, 2000 The government veto on price rises did not extend to other mail, and the Post Office was given the go-ahead to hike prices for heavier letters, packages and bulk deliveries. The communications minister, Moritz Leuenberger, said on Friday that the increase would boost revenues by SFr120 million, once the new prices come into force next…

Exports driving economic growth

This content was published on Jul 21, 2000 The ministry said the figures for June showed no sign of a slowdown. Last month, exports were worth SFr10.34 billion and imports SFr10.29 billion, leaving Switzerland with a trade surplus of SFr48.4 million. For the first six months, Switzerland recorded a trade deficit of SFr609 million, compared to a slight surplus over the same period…

Villiger – no question of abandoning banking secrecy

This content was published on Jul 21, 2000 The two men were in the Swiss city to sign a protocol on double taxation between the two countries. They also discussed banking secrecy laws – which exist in both countries – and said the protocol represented a “coalition to maintain banking secrecy for the benefit of the investor.” The protocol abolishes the five per…

ABB forecasts rising profits

This content was published on Jul 20, 2000 The company made its estimate after publishing much better than expected half-year results. Net profit was up 16 per cent to SFr1.61 billion. The healthy profits were achieved despite a fall in turnover of six per cent to SFr17.96 billion. However, orders are up six per cent compared to the same period last year to…

Plans for energy tax come under fire

This content was published on Jul 20, 2000 Opposition to the proposed tax on fossil fuels and nuclear energy has been growing since it was announced that the issue would go to a nationwide vote in September. Critics led by the business community argue that the tax will lead to higher energy costs and deliver little benefit to the environment. Now they have…

NGOs call for fair trade liberalisation

This content was published on Jul 20, 2000 In a statement released on Thursday, the “Swiss Coordination for Fair World Trade” said Switzerland had to fundamentally revise its position concerning ongoing negotiations to liberalise agriculture and primarily the services sector. By March 2001, the Geneva-based World Trade Organisation hopes to launch formal negotiations on agriculture and services. No progress was made on these…

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Dale Bechtel finds that slow motion travel is picking up steam

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Week in Review

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Revealing secrets of the castle keeps

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Switzerland to release Abacha funds to Nigeria

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Post Office price rises blocked

More

Exports driving economic growth

More

Villiger – no question of abandoning banking secrecy

More

ABB forecasts rising profits

More

Plans for energy tax come under fire

More

NGOs call for fair trade liberalisation

Popular Stories

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