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Swiss economy to stagnate in 2003

This content was published on May 16, 2003 Officials said the economy was expected to grind to a halt due to weak global demand and the strong Swiss franc. “The lack of an upturn in the global economy, particularly the eurozone, and the still rather firm Swiss franc… continue to hold back the Swiss economy,” Seco said in a statement on Friday. Seco…

OSCE addresses plight of smaller firms

This content was published on May 16, 2003 The three-day talks have been organised by the parliamentary assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The meeting is the first time in the 12-year history of the OSCE that the parliamentary assembly has gathered in Switzerland. Barbara Haering, the OSCE parliamentary assembly vice-president, told swissinfo that this week’s meeting was…

Scenic village reveals its murky side

This content was published on May 15, 2003 But residents and local officials are less concerned about the weak and crumbling foundations than the primitive plumbing. Sewage flows untreated into the lake. Gandria’s cheery pastel buildings clinging vertically to the shore are reminiscent of the Italian Riviera. It is a spectacular setting that attracts throngs of tourists each year. Much has been written…

CSEM spin-off finds venture capital

This content was published on May 15, 2003 The company announced on Thursday it has raised $5.5 million (SFr7.25 million) in venture capital. Vision Capital led the investment round this year, bringing back existing investors, such as Intel Capital, Viventures, the CSEM, as well as two new investors: Venture Incubator from Switzerland and Germany’s innotech. This amount was significantly down from what it…

Commuting on the rise in Switzerland

This content was published on May 15, 2003 Private vehicles are still the preferred means of transport, although there has been a slight increase in rail use. Figures released on Thursday showed that six out of ten people now commute to work – an increase of ten per cent on a decade ago. However, while more people are commuting, the amount of time…

The family gains political ground in Switzerland

This content was published on May 15, 2003 The trend is noticeable as the United Nations pays tribute to the traditional social unit on the occasion of International Family Day. “Not so long ago, economic circles and the more conservative sections of society wouldn’t have hesitated to advise people to think hard before having a family,” said Jürg Krummenacher, president of the federal…

Global downturn plagues tourism industry

This content was published on May 14, 2003 The three-day Zurich fair, which attracted over 400 tour operators from 40 nations, came on the heels of a dire forecast for the forthcoming summer season. A study released on Tuesday by the Basel-based economics institute, BAK, predicted a 3.2 per cent drop in hotel overnight stays this summer compared with last year. The figure,…

Biotech loses some lustre

This content was published on May 14, 2003 While the sector does continue to attract capital – more than € 1 billion last year – it is cautious capital. According to the report, entitled Endurance 2003, a total of €1.1 billion was invested in entrepreneurial biotechnology firms, the third highest total ever. Some 26 percent of the venture capital investments made in Europe…

Swiss economy “suffocated” by complexity

This content was published on May 14, 2003 In a damning assessment of the country’s ability to compete around the world, the Lausanne-based business school IMD, warned that Switzerland faces an uphill battle to reform. “The economy is increasingly being suffocated by complex legislation, rules and practices that are blocking society’s ability to reform itself,” Stéphane Garelli, director of the World Competitiveness Report…

Unions fear wage dumping with EU expansion

This content was published on May 13, 2003 They called on the government to ensure that working conditions would not deteriorate if an accord between Switzerland and Brussels on the free movement of people was applied to the new EU members. The Trade Union Federation warned that dumping could ensue when the ten new eastern European countries are admitted to the 15-nation bloc.…

Internal: Archive

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Internal: Archive

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Swiss economy to stagnate in 2003

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OSCE addresses plight of smaller firms

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Scenic village reveals its murky side

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CSEM spin-off finds venture capital

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Commuting on the rise in Switzerland

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The family gains political ground in Switzerland

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Global downturn plagues tourism industry

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Biotech loses some lustre

More

Swiss economy “suffocated” by complexity

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Unions fear wage dumping with EU expansion

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