Internal: Archive

Swiss refuse to budge on corporate taxes

This content was published on Feb 13, 2007 On Tuesday, the commission called on the Swiss to amend their fiscal policy and negotiate with the European Union, a demand that drew fierce reactions from Swiss politicians and business leaders. Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz shot down the EU proposal, saying in Bern that there was nothing to negotiate. He called the commission’s decision to…

Swiss hotels push for better quality control

This content was published on Feb 13, 2007 At a news conference in Bern on Tuesday, the association laid out its plans for 2007 also calling for measures to tackle Switzerland’s high prices, which it said hold back tourism. “We could do much better if people allowed us to,” said Guglielmo Brentel, Hotelleriesuisse’s director, on Tuesday. The association accounts for 80 per cent…

Ciba announces smaller net loss for 2006

This content was published on Feb 13, 2007 The Basel-based company said the better result was driven by improved sales and cost-cutting measures. Ciba, which is undergoing a wide-reaching restructuring, forecasts higher 2007 net income and sales, and a one per cent increase in full-year operating income margin. The company, which produces dyes and pigments, also announced that current chief operating officer Brendan…

Cantons hold key in EC business tax row

This content was published on Feb 13, 2007 Cantons are free to set their own tax rates under the Swiss constitution and they told swissinfo they would ignore renewed demands from the Commission to end “unfair” privileges. The Commission on Tuesday accused non-EU member Switzerland of violating the 1972 Free Trade Agreement by allowing individual cantons to set low tax rates to tempt…

UBS reports another record year

This content was published on Feb 13, 2007 Switzerland’s largest bank said financial businesses improved for the fourth consecutive year and attributed the result largely to the flood of new money into its wealth management businesses. UBS said that total 2006 attributable profit was SFr11.25 billion, up 19 per cent from the same period a year ago. “We are pleased to report that…

Swiss call for new Iran nuclear talks

This content was published on Feb 12, 2007 But no details were given about the talks in Bern, and it is not clear whether Switzerland submitted a proposal to bring the Iranians back to the negotiating table. “The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views and information on the Iran’s nuclear programme as well as on a number of other current international issues,”…

Leuthard backs family-friendly plans for SMEs

This content was published on Feb 12, 2007 The plans were outlined in a “Work and Family” manual for SMEs which was launched in Bern on Monday. “Reconciling family and work is both possible and profitable,” Leuthard said. SMEs represent the backbone of the economy – employing two-thirds of all people in Switzerland – and therefore deserve special attention and support, the economics…

Dangerous substances still pose rail threat

This content was published on Feb 12, 2007 The affected stretches cross main Swiss cities including Geneva, Basel, Zurich and the capital, Bern. “Trains do not pass through the entire city but through zones which are densely populated and where there are major roads,” commented Davide Demicheli, spokesman of the Swiss Federal Transport Office. He was confirming a report that appeared in Sunday’s…

Deer alert

This content was published on Feb 11, 2007

Swiss takes over as space agency’s rocket man

This content was published on Feb 11, 2007 Bertschi, who took up his position this year, told swissinfo that Esa needs to build on the success of its Ariane rocket system and demonstrate the strengths of new technologies currently under development. Bertschi has a long experience of the space industry. He has already worked for Esa in the past, and his previous position…

Internal: Archive

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Internal: Archive

More

Swiss refuse to budge on corporate taxes

More

Swiss hotels push for better quality control

More

Ciba announces smaller net loss for 2006

More

Cantons hold key in EC business tax row

More

UBS reports another record year

More

Swiss call for new Iran nuclear talks

More

Leuthard backs family-friendly plans for SMEs

More

Dangerous substances still pose rail threat

More

Deer alert

More

Swiss takes over as space agency’s rocket man

Popular Stories

Most Discussed