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Reforms approved to strengthen pension supervision

This content was published on Mar 19, 2010 On the final day of its spring session, parliament agreed to introduce measures to improve governance, transparency and regulation. The structural reforms call for the creation of a federal supervisory body and a strengthening of supervision through cantonal and regional authorities. The reforms are to be introduced in stages, beginning in January 2011, when measures…

Swiss offer firms haven from British tax hikes

This content was published on Mar 18, 2010 From April, a 50 per cent tax rate for those earning more than £150,000 (SFr242,000) comes into force. Britain, which for years appeared to encourage personal wealth, is now being described as a “hostile environment” for the rich. Banks and hedge fund firms have been the main focus of reports about potential company relocations. But…

Flexible hours win over employees

This content was published on Mar 18, 2010 But that contentment factor goes down when work times are imposed on employees due to economic reasons. The annual barometer of human relations was compiled by Zurich University and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. The survey found 65 per cent of staff in Switzerland had flexible and part-time working hours. The greater…

Exports begin to pick up again

This content was published on Mar 18, 2010 The demand came in particular from Asia and North America in another sign that the country’s economy is recovering. In a statement, the customs authorities said that exports were “feeling the effects of spring”, although it noted that in real terms – that means taking inflation into account – they went down by 0.9 per…

Watch industry hopes to strike it lucky in 2010

This content was published on Mar 18, 2010 The event, which opens on Thursday, is a chance for companies to show off their latest watches, which are both classic and innovative – with some even including a dinosaur bone – and in general shying away from “bling-bling”. Set in the heart of Basel, the eight-day fair – considered by the industry as the…

The face of luxury

This content was published on Mar 18, 2010 Baselworld brings together exhibitors from around the world in the city of Basel and attracts up to 100,000 visitors each year. The 2010 show runs from March 18 to March 25. (Pictures: Keystone/AFP/EQ Images/Hublot/Louis Moinet)

More businesses going bankrupt

This content was published on Mar 17, 2010 A total of 490 companies went bust, according to figures published by Creditreform, the Swiss association of creditors. Creditreform described it as a “bad start for the Swiss economy in 2010”. The northwest of the country was the worst hit, with the rate of bankruptcies among companies rising by 92.9 per cent. But at a…

Swiss paradise

This content was published on Mar 17, 2010 Since the 18th century, images of Switzerland have depicted a mythical country of cows, crosses and mountains along with values such as closeness to nature, traditions and quality. An exhibition at Zurich’s museum of design, which ends on July 25, takes a look at how billboards portrayed these ideas over the years.

Forests spread in size and diversity

This content was published on Mar 16, 2010 The Federal Environment Office and the Institute for Forests, Snow and Landscape Research said on Tuesday that woodlands now cover 1.28 million hectares of Switzerland, about 600 square kilometres more than 11 years ago. That new growth is about the same size as canton Glarus. The forestry inventory report, released ahead of World Forestry Day…

Swiss economy outperforms but concerns remain

This content was published on Mar 16, 2010 Economists believe fading stimulus measures and listless growth across Europe could produce knock-on effects that will adversely affect the Swiss economy. Economic growth is expected to average 1.4 per cent over the year, an improvement on the projected 0.7 per cent, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) announced. Seco noted a rebounding in exports…

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