Internal: Archive

Swiss business aircraft takes off in the US

This content was published on May 31, 2006 Figures for the PC-12 reached new heights in 2005, with 63 of 80 sales being made through the company’s United States subsidiary in Colorado. “I think the plane’s popularity is down to its economics and versatility,” Fred Muggli, head of marketing for Pilatus, told swissinfo. “The acquisition cost and direct operating cost is outstanding.” Indeed…

Rock fall cripples transalpine traffic

This content was published on May 31, 2006 Traffic jams of up to 15 kilometres were reported on either side of the San Bernardino Pass, the main alternative route linking northern Europe and Italy. Lorries were temporarily banned from using either route, which meant they had to skirt the country altogether, or transfer their freight to rail. It was not clear for how…

Singapore “no threat” to Swiss foreign banks

This content was published on May 31, 2006 The 150 members of the association gained six per cent in new investments last year and now manage assets in Switzerland of SFr873 billion ($713 billion), figures revealed on Monday. Leemann believes the wealthy will continue to bank in Switzerland because the Asian markets are too remote and are not well enough established. The AIG…

Authorities oppose topping up pension scheme

This content was published on May 30, 2006 Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz said the plan would not only deprive the federal government and the cantons of much needed funds, but also threatened the bank’s independence. Merz warned on Tuesday in Bern that shifting profits to the pension scheme would leave the federal authorities with a shortfall of around SFr833 million ($689.6 million) annually.…

Swiss step up aid for Java quake victims

This content was published on May 30, 2006 The government is increasing the size of its emergency team in the affected central region around Yogyakarta. Swiss Solidarity, the fundraising arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, has also launched a public appeal. The United Nations warned on Monday that the task of helping survivors was “enormous” and a “race against the clock”. The relief…

Airport restrictions could harm economy

This content was published on May 29, 2006 The former head of the Swiss Institute for Business Cycle Research, Bernd Schips, believes meeting increased demand for air transport is vital if Switzerland is to remain competitive. The economist was commissioned by Zurich airport operator Unique to examine the consequences of flight restrictions after local residents objected to the amount of noise pollution caused…

Foreign banking sector beats squeeze to prosper

This content was published on May 29, 2006 The 150 banks administered SFr873 billion ($713 billion) of clients’ money, an increase of 17 per cent from 2004, while recording a 28 per cent rise in profits to SFr2.363 billion. Foreign banks account for more than 15 per cent of the entire industry’s profits in Switzerland and make up 45 per cent of the…

Government awarded “Swiss” web addresses

This content was published on May 29, 2006 The authorities had been locked in a dispute since 2000 with a Swiss businessman who had registered www.schweiz.ch, www.suisse.ch and www.svizzera.ch (“Switzerland” in German, French and Italian) in 1995. The Geneva-based institution’s ruling, published on Monday, means the government can now officially use the terms “schweiz”, “suisse” and svizzera”, which they already use when entering…

Think tank boss warns against complacency

This content was published on May 29, 2006 Thomas Held said that while Switzerland had some of the same problems as the European Union, including an ageing population, the country’s economy was currently benefiting from its international outlook. He admitted that reforms were slow in some areas but said some sectors were more open and transforming as a result of globalisation. Held was…

Swiss respond to Indonesia earthquake

This content was published on May 28, 2006 Bern and aid organisations have pledged financial support for the disaster and the government’s aid unit has already sent two experts to the country. In a statement, Swiss president Moritz Leuenberger and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey have expressed their condolences to the victims of the quake and to the Indonesian authorities. No Swiss victims have…

Internal: Archive

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Internal: Archive

More

Swiss business aircraft takes off in the US

More

Rock fall cripples transalpine traffic

More

Singapore “no threat” to Swiss foreign banks

More

Authorities oppose topping up pension scheme

More

Swiss step up aid for Java quake victims

More

Airport restrictions could harm economy

More

Foreign banking sector beats squeeze to prosper

More

Government awarded “Swiss” web addresses

More

Think tank boss warns against complacency

More

Swiss respond to Indonesia earthquake

Popular Stories

Most Discussed