Internal: Archive

Market reforms spark political electricity

This content was published on Dec 23, 2004 However, in an interview with swissinfo, energy policymaker Dori Schaer says the impetus for reform is unprecedented – despite popular misgivings and a new legal setback. The liberalisation process hit an unexpected stumbling block on Thursday when the competition authorities announced a probe into plans to set up a new national grid operator. The probe…

Swiss wine of 2004 will be a corker

This content was published on Dec 23, 2004 The harvest will also be bigger than in 2003. “The 2004 vintage was one accompanied by many fears,” commented Philippe Herminjard at the Federal Office for Agriculture. He said that until the end of August, bad weather conditions were pointing to a poor year compared with the excellent 2003 vintage. “Thankfully, the month of September…

Tourists to get high on fresh air

This content was published on Dec 23, 2004 More than a marketing ploy, the “pure air” claim will be backed by the findings of scientific studies proving the health benefits of high altitude holidays. “Resorts are rediscovering fresh mountain air and its corresponding health benefits as an asset that can be marketed,” says researcher Rafael Matos. The air is more than fresh in…

Innovation drive loses impetus

This content was published on Dec 23, 2004 But a study shows the Swiss are lagging behind when it comes to staff training and there is an overall lack of funding for projects. The latest European Innovation Scoreboard survey puts Switzerland in fifth position behind Japan, Sweden, Finland and the United States. The study, published on Thursday, covers European Union member states, the…

Sprouts get a better taste for Christmas

This content was published on Dec 23, 2004 The agroindustrial firm – which supplies 80 per cent of Europe’s sprout seeds – has brought glad tidings to Christmas lunch by cultivating sweeter tasting varieties. For many, the Brussels sprout is a bitter pill to swallow – its acrid flavour means it is the least popular of vegetables in some parts of the world.…

Watchdog short-circuits power alliance

This content was published on Dec 23, 2004 The probe, which could take up to four months, wrecks January’s planned launch of the new firm, Swissgrid. Seven of the country’s largest electricity grid operators, Atel, BKW-FMB, CKW, EGL, EOS, EWZ and NOK, want to unite to give Switzerland a single voice in dealing with cross-border energy transmission. But the Competition Commission (Comco) said…

Mountains no economic barrier to farming

This content was published on Dec 22, 2004 swissinfo takes a look at lessons Switzerland can learn from its alpine neighbour ten years after Austria joined the EU. This third of four reports focuses on agriculture. “We had no idea what joining the EU meant,” says farmer Angelika Schloffer. As Schloffer speaks, she is operating a stainless steel machine set up in a…

Government unveils new round of spending cuts

This content was published on Dec 22, 2004 The latest savings plan will result in further cuts to public spending, but the package still has to be approved by parliament. Last year parliament approved a government proposal for cuts of SFr3 billion. Now the government has requested additional savings of SFr2 billion until 2008. It says the aim of the latest round of…

Unions angered by “modest” pay rise

This content was published on Dec 21, 2004 Travail Suisse – one of the largest employees’ unions – said an average pay rise of 1.0 per cent next year would not encourage consumer spending and boost the economy. At a press conference in Bern on Tuesday, Travail Suisse, the Syna, Transfair and Hotel&Gastro unions said workers would be no better off next year…

November brings glad tidings to watch industry

This content was published on Dec 21, 2004 The value of exports amounted to SFr1.26 billion ($1.1 billion), helping to make it a bumper year for the Swiss watch industry. This is the first time the SFr10 billion mark has been exceeded after 11 months. The November figure represents a rise of more than 12 per cent compared with the same period last…

Internal: Archive

Popular Stories

Most Discussed