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Controversial plan aims to spur growth

This content was published on Feb 12, 2004 It launched a provocative ten-point programme on Thursday that includes criticism of invalidity benefit abuses. The “Ten Steps to Growth” programme is the association’s latest bid to influence national policy. After last weekend’s nationwide vote against road transport proposals, it renewed its call for a second Gotthard road tunnel through the Alps. The association has…

The Economist gives Switzerland a health check

This content was published on Feb 12, 2004 The 20-page special takes a look at the political and economic peculiarities of a country that still in many ways remains a law unto itself. Author Barbara Beck interviewed a cross-section of politicians, business and banking leaders, administrators and academics to build a picture of Switzerland today. She concludes that while the small, landlocked country…

Swiss look to Finland for economic model

This content was published on Feb 12, 2004 The report by the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences examined Finland’s success in promoting innovation and asked what Switzerland could learn from the experience. “Finland has developed a high dynamic in innovation activities,” Beat Hotz-Hart, co-author of the study, told swissinfo. “Switzerland has an interest to understand how this dynamic is produced and what can…

Arts owes business a round of applause

This content was published on Feb 11, 2004 In the first study of its kind, the Federal Statistics Office found that private sector donations were equivalent to about 15 per cent of public spending on the arts, which totalled SFr2.3 billion in 2001. The research – which examined the spending policies of over 5,000 Swiss firms – concluded that the public sector is…

Swiss carnival season starts with a bang

This content was published on Feb 11, 2004 Carnival is a licence for the normally well-behaved Swiss to let their hair down and celebrate the festival in their own unique way. In Lucerne, dozens of costumed brass bands took their signal from a pre-dawn gun salute on Thursday to strike the fist dissonant chords of marches and pop songs, and begin parading through…

Swiss consider joining space project

This content was published on Feb 11, 2004 Switzerland is debating whether to make a belated appearance in the Galileo project, which could generate millions in revenues and offer a vast range of applications. But time is running out for the Swiss, who have to decide by 2006 whether to join. A constellation of 30 European satellites and ground stations is due to…

Syngenta reaps profit harvest

This content was published on Feb 11, 2004 Basel-based Syngenta said its sales were up by six per cent to $6.58 billion, following strong growth in the second half of the year. Announcing its 2003 results on Wednesday, the company said that earnings before restructuring and impairment charges of $95 million rose 37 per cent, lifted also by cost cuts, lower net financial…

UBS denies Parmalat investigation

This content was published on Feb 10, 2004 Tuesday’s statement follows reports that UBS and five other international banks were being investigated for possible market rigging in connection with the Parmalat affair. “We have no knowledge of a formal investigation into UBS or any of our employees,” said Mark Branson, the bank’s chief spokesman. Last week the bank’s Milan offices were raided by…

Foreign aid to focus on knowledge and training

This content was published on Feb 10, 2004 It has made access to information and training its main objectives for 2004. “Knowledge is the most important motor in all development,” said SDC Director Walter Fust at the agency’s annual media conference in Bern on Tuesday. He said that in all its activities, the SDC intended to make its partners and the public aware…

UBS sails beyond profit expectations

This content was published on Feb 10, 2004 Net profit at the world’s largest asset manager soared to SFr6.385 billion ($5.18 billion) in 2003, up by 81 per cent on the previous year. Fourth-quarter net profit came in at SFr1.86 billion, beating even the most optimistic expectations. “2003 turned out to be a surprisingly good year for financial markets and a terrific year…

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Controversial plan aims to spur growth

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The Economist gives Switzerland a health check

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Swiss look to Finland for economic model

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Arts owes business a round of applause

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Swiss carnival season starts with a bang

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Swiss consider joining space project

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Syngenta reaps profit harvest

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UBS denies Parmalat investigation

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Foreign aid to focus on knowledge and training

More

UBS sails beyond profit expectations

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