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Companies plan more investments this year

This content was published on Mar 2, 2005 The latest survey from the Swiss Institute for Business Cycle Research (KOF) indicates that new investments should help slightly boost economic growth this year. The survey, carried out between October and December last year, shows that projects are more likely to go ahead this year as an export-led recovery improves domestic sentiment. The number of…

Holcim results outstrip forecasts

This content was published on Mar 2, 2005 The firm attributed the improved annual result to “solid” internal growth and a global upsurge in construction activity, leading to increased demand for concrete, cement and aggregates. Net sales rose by nearly five per cent to SFr13.22 billion, with sales volumes increasing across all regions and business segments. Operating profit on sales (earnings before interest…

Swiss shiver as the country freezes

This content was published on Mar 1, 2005 The cold snap has caused major disruption on the country’s railways, as points and even trains froze. The Swiss Federal Railways reported dozens of cancellations and delays on Tuesday morning, with western Switzerland hardest hit. Spokesman Jacques Zulauff said services running in and around the capital, Bern, were heavily disrupted by the glacial conditions. The…

Swiss child poverty rate is one of lowest

This content was published on Mar 1, 2005 But the number of young Swiss living in poverty – 6.8 per cent – is almost three times higher than in Denmark. The Unicef report on Child Poverty in Rich Countries, published on Tuesday, ranked Switzerland fifth out of 24 of the wealthiest nations around the globe. The UN agency estimates that there are up…

Converium announces further job losses

This content was published on Mar 1, 2005 Senior management told a news conference in Zurich that about 140 redundancies could be expected outside the United States by the end of 2005, including roughly 80 at the company’s Zurich headquarters. In addition, US staffing levels are expected to drop from about 220 in August 2004 to around 90 in March 2005, as Converium…

Givaudan perfumer has nose for success

This content was published on Mar 1, 2005 The expert is constantly on the track of a fragrance to become the new best seller in the highly competitive global perfume market. Wandel is a senior perfumer at the Geneva-based Givaudan, the world’s largest producer of flavours and fragrances. Speaking at a recent event at the company’s facility at Kempthal near Zurich, she explained…

Profit at Givaudan rises on cost cuts

This content was published on Mar 1, 2005 The figure fell short of market expectations, but the company is proposing another bumper dividend to shareholders. Sales at the company, which is based just outside Geneva, were SFr2.68 billion, or a decline of 0.4 per cent in Swiss francs on the 2003 figure. The slight decrease mainly reflected the impact of the United States…

Swiss cows banned from eating grass

This content was published on Mar 1, 2005 But the move has provoked strong opposition from farmers using the plant, while some experts have cast doubt over the evidence used to enforce the ban. The Federal Agriculture Office said that the ban, which came into force on March 1, covers all types of hemp – the plant used to make the cannabis drug.…

Converium posts a heavy annual loss

This content was published on Mar 1, 2005 But the company tried to reassure investors by saying it did not expect to add further to its loss reserves and would continue to stand alone as a reinsurer. Converium, which has its headquarters in Zurich, was forced to raise $420 million in new capital last year to plug an almost $500 million hole in…

Basel firms condemned over toxic waste

This content was published on Mar 1, 2005 The organisation says drums of chemical waste, which have sat untreated for 50 years, are a threat to the environment and communities in both France and Switzerland. On Monday Greenpeace campaigners attempted to draw attention to the situation by transporting three drums of toxic waste to the headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Novartis in Basel. But…

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Companies plan more investments this year

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Holcim results outstrip forecasts

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Swiss shiver as the country freezes

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Swiss child poverty rate is one of lowest

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Converium announces further job losses

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Givaudan perfumer has nose for success

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Profit at Givaudan rises on cost cuts

More

Swiss cows banned from eating grass

More

Converium posts a heavy annual loss

More

Basel firms condemned over toxic waste

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