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Uefa sidesteps Swiss Euro 2008 funding row

This content was published on Dec 16, 2005 Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern fear local parliaments will refuse to foot their share of the tournament costs unless the government raises its offer to contribute SFr72 million ($56 million). Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said he was unconcerned that Switzerland’s bill for hosting the tournament had rocketed from an estimated SFr10.5 million in 2002…

The Christmas-tree grower

This content was published on Dec 16, 2005

Farming reforms sow discontent

This content was published on Dec 16, 2005 But the centre-left Social Democrats and the centre-right Christian Democrats say they in principle support the moves, which are aimed at improving competitiveness. The People’s Party, which traditionally supports farmers in Switzerland, maintains that the reforms were intended as an opportunity to correct the errors of the past. But it said the opposite would be…

Agriculture splits people and nations

This content was published on Dec 16, 2005 Opinion is divided over how far Switzerland should go in defending the interests of its farmers. Economic commentator Beat Kappeler believes the country has too many subsidised small farms that are not sustainable in the long run. Heidi Bravo, who is in charge of the WTO dossier at the Swiss Farmers’ Association, argues that there…

No breakthrough in Swiss-EU tax dispute

This content was published on Dec 15, 2005 The European Union argues that special tax rates accorded to holding companies in parts of Switzerland distort competition and violate a free-trade agreement. Bern rejects the allegation. Following the talks on Thursday, the Commission said dialogue would continue in a bid to resolve differences between the two sides. “Switzerland is our near neighbour and thanks…

Obwalden faces brave new world

This content was published on Dec 15, 2005 On Sunday 86 per cent of citizens voted for a degressive tax system that especially benefits those earning above SFr300,000 ($230,000) in an effort to attract big companies and wealthy residents. Obwalden, one of the poorest Swiss cantons, hopes to emulate Zug, Schwyz and Nidwalden – neighbouring central Swiss cantons which have lured big spenders…

Economist says rate rise will not check growth

This content was published on Dec 15, 2005 The Swiss National Bank (SNB) raised its key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point – the first change since September 2004. The national bank said it now expects Switzerland’s gross domestic product to grow by just over 1.5 per cent in 2005, with inflation remaining at 1.2 per cent. The forecast compares…

Trade accord signed with South Korea

This content was published on Dec 15, 2005 Deiss said the agreement, which includes Switzerland, would stimulate Swiss competitiveness in the South Korean market. The signing ceremony took place at South Korea’s consulate general in Hong Kong on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial summit. The accord is the fourth that Efta has signed with countries outside Europe and the…

EU tax showdown looms for Swiss

This content was published on Dec 14, 2005 Switzerland has denied allegations outlined in a letter sent by the commission in September that the Swiss tax system violates a 1972 Free Trade Agreement. The letter, sent a day after Switzerland voted to extend its free labour accord to the new European Union member states, questions whether cantons Zug and Schwyz grant unfair advantage…

Credit card pricing set to change

This content was published on Dec 14, 2005 The accord limits fees levied by the card companies on their partner banks and allows stores to offer different prices depending on whether a customer pays in cash or with a card. “This decision will affect all means of payment,” said Walter Stoffel, president of the Swiss Competition Commission. The Credit Suisse, UBS and Corner…

Internal: Archive

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Uefa sidesteps Swiss Euro 2008 funding row

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The Christmas-tree grower

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Farming reforms sow discontent

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Agriculture splits people and nations

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No breakthrough in Swiss-EU tax dispute

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Obwalden faces brave new world

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Economist says rate rise will not check growth

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Trade accord signed with South Korea

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EU tax showdown looms for Swiss

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Credit card pricing set to change

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