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Industry survey points to better times ahead

This content was published on Oct 10, 2003 A quarterly survey of 300 companies by Switzerland’s largest bank, UBS, indicates that they have been given a tentative boost by the global economic upturn. “The outlook for companies is brightening up, especially for those that are exposed to the international markets,” Andreas Höfert, head of economic research at UBS, told swissinfo. “This fits in…

Hess sweetens its Australian wine bid

This content was published on Oct 10, 2003 Hess on Thursday raised its unconditional bid from A$3.85 (SFr3.50) to A$4, matching a rival offer from British firm Allied Domecq. Earlier in the day, Allied dropped all conditions attached to its own A$4-a-share offer – including a requirement that it would not pay unless gaining at least 51 per cent of Peter Lehmann. Both…

Hotelier has unusual recipe for success

This content was published on Oct 9, 2003 Be grumpy, make lots of rules, serve the same food over and over again, and offer rooms with some of the best views in the Alps. A sign prominently displayed inside the Hotel Mittaghorn says breakfast is served between 7.30am and 9am – not a minute earlier or later. Dinner is at 7.30pm precisely and…

Radios and computers enlisted to reduce poverty

This content was published on Oct 8, 2003 They are all using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to help improve lives. Dozens of similar projects will be on display in December in Geneva at an exhibition to coincide with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Some 200 organisations and businesses from 80 countries are taking part in the joint exhibition and…

Counterfeit goods hurt Swiss economy

This content was published on Oct 8, 2003 A study published on Wednesday in Bern shows that Switzerland is one of the countries worst affected by fake goods in Europe. According to the report, which was carried out by the European Brands Association (EBA), 21 counterfeit products appeared on the Swiss market between 2000 and 2001. In all, 470 examples of counterfeit goods…

Hildebrand urges economic reforms

This content was published on Oct 8, 2003 But Philipp Hildebrand says such a process might entail short-term “pain”, including rising unemployment as uncompetitive industries are forced to restructure. He said the best way to sustain Swiss retirement and social welfare programmes was to “invigorate” economic growth. Hildebrand added that a rise in productivity, leading to higher economic growth rates, was of paramount…

Cold blast gives foretaste of winter

This content was published on Oct 8, 2003 Gusts of up to 180 kilometres per hour have been recorded in the Alps, and snow has made its first appearance in many parts of the country, leading to traffic chaos. Central and eastern Switzerland were worst affected by the sudden change in conditions. In canton Lucerne, the strong winds led to power cuts. Repair…

Switzerland’s top firms come under scrutiny

This content was published on Oct 7, 2003 The Geneva-based funds manager, Ethos, on Tuesday launched the first of what it hopes will be an annual “ethics and transparency” ranking of Switzerland’s leading companies. Banks and insurance firms topped the Ethos chart. They included UBS, Credit Suisse and Zurich Financial Services (ZFS), joined at the top by the food group Nestlé. But those…

Long-term unemployed pull together

This content was published on Oct 7, 2003 Unemployment is a hot issue in October’s parliamentary elections, especially for the long-term unemployed who make up 17 per cent of the overall jobless figure. Some 27 per cent of Swiss polled cited the worsening employment situation as their number one concern. This is certainly true of 33-year-old Mark Schmidt, who lives in the eastern…

Georg Fischer axes jobs in profitability drive

This content was published on Oct 7, 2003 The company wants to streamline its automotive products and piping operations, as well as its manufacturing technology unit, Agie Charmilles. The job cuts, which were announced on Tuesday, represent some eight per cent of the total workforce. In Switzerland, some 85 jobs are affected at three Agie Charmilles plants. Schaffhausen-based Georg Fischer said in a…

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Internal: Archive

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Industry survey points to better times ahead

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Hess sweetens its Australian wine bid

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Hotelier has unusual recipe for success

More

Radios and computers enlisted to reduce poverty

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Counterfeit goods hurt Swiss economy

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Hildebrand urges economic reforms

More

Cold blast gives foretaste of winter

More

Switzerland’s top firms come under scrutiny

More

Long-term unemployed pull together

More

Georg Fischer axes jobs in profitability drive

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