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Swiss prices soar over EU neighbours

This content was published on Aug 16, 2010 According to an international price comparison index published by the Federal Statistics Office, buying meat, cooking oil, fish and other food items in Switzerland became significantly more expensive last year compared with what you could get for the same amount of money in neighbouring countries. It is not that goods and services in Switzerland became…

Swiss firms record solid half-year results

This content was published on Aug 16, 2010 Economists point in particular to growth in the emerging markets and rigorous cost controls for the improved results. Swiss industry has directly and indirectly been taking advantage of the recovery of its most important trading partner, Germany. The country recorded quarterly growth between April and June of 2.2 per cent, the highest increase in 20…

Cocoa price spike hits chocolate industry

This content was published on Aug 16, 2010 Cocoa prices hit a 30-year high in July and are expected to remain that way in the near future. Swiss chocolate producers are crying foul over one hedge fund that has stockpiled cocoa, helping to drive up its value. The Armajaro hedge fund is thought to have cornered some seven per cent of global cocoa…

Officials block Transocean dividend payments

This content was published on Aug 14, 2010 The commercial register of canton Zug blocked the application citing the numerous lawsuits pending against Transocean in the United States. Founded in the US, the offshore drilling contractor has been headquartered in Zug since 2008. In a company statement released on Friday, Transocean said it believed that all prerequisites for the payment plans had been…

Trade deal with China comes a step closer

This content was published on Aug 14, 2010 Doris Leuthard was speaking to journalists in Beijing after a meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding which opens the way to talks on an FTA. “It is almost a historic day,“ a delighted Leuthard told them. Hu had said he was ready to accept the findings…

Bern and Beijing set to negotiate trade accord

This content was published on Aug 13, 2010 The document was initialed in Beijing on Friday in the presence of Swiss Economics Minister Doris Leuthard and the Chinese head of state Hu Jintao. A Swiss government statement said that both had approved the findings of a feasibility study for such an agreement. A joint study group found that the economies of Switzerland and…

Euro investments push central bank into red

This content was published on Aug 13, 2010 The bank’s first-half figures were affected by valuation losses in investments in euros, carried out to try to prevent the strong Swiss franc from further appreciation. Total exchange rate losses for the period totalled SFr14.3 billion. In a statement on Friday, the bank said the extent of the loss was limited by the rise in…

Furka steam railway line reopens to fanfare

This content was published on Aug 12, 2010 The successful revival of the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway is a tribute to the persistence of thousands of train buffs, who volunteered time and money to resurrect the route. “This is a fantastic moment,” exclaimed Peter Bernhard, manager of the railway, at the start of three days of celebrations. The first train to make the…

Highway life

This content was published on Aug 11, 2010 The A2, which connects Basel and Chiasso, runs through a populated and yet mountainous area. In places it runs very close to people’s homes. The photo book Wohnort Autobahn (Benteli, 2010) explains the historical, cultural and social background of the people living along this road axis.

Job agency Adecco posts huge quarterly win

This content was published on Aug 11, 2010 The figures represent a stark contrast to the same period last year, when the Zurich-based firm registered a loss of €147 million. Turnover increased 29 per cent to €4.6 billion, Adecco announced on Wednesday. In the period under review, the company’s earnings before the deduction of interest, taxes and amortisation expenses amounted to €168 million…

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Swiss prices soar over EU neighbours

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Swiss firms record solid half-year results

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Cocoa price spike hits chocolate industry

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Officials block Transocean dividend payments

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Trade deal with China comes a step closer

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Bern and Beijing set to negotiate trade accord

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Euro investments push central bank into red

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Furka steam railway line reopens to fanfare

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Highway life

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Job agency Adecco posts huge quarterly win

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