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Swisscom seeks to preserve “last mile” monopoly

This content was published on Jan 7, 2003 But the former state monopoly, Swisscom, is trying to retain its hold on the fixed line network, which competitors see as the primary area for growth in a stagnant market. Switzerland’s telecommunications market was liberalised in January 1998 amid promises of increased competition and choice. The ensuing price war between operators sharply reduced call costs,…

Record year for Swiss buyouts

This content was published on Jan 7, 2003 A new study published by the Swiss Private Equity Association and the Corporate Finance Group reveals that 35 buyouts took place, affecting more than 50,000 workers. The previous year only 4,000 people were employed by firms that completed management buyouts. The total number of deals in 2002 was similar to the previous year – 35…

Economy to remain in the doldrums

This content was published on Jan 7, 2003 The investment bank said Switzerland would continue to suffer from the depressed global environment this year. In its European Weekly Analyst research publication, devoted to issues and the outlook for 2003, the bank said problems for the Swiss economy have been compounded by the overvaluation of the Swiss franc, which has been supported by safe…

English powers ahead

This content was published on Jan 6, 2003 Right across the country, schools and businesses are pouring resources into learning the language. One of the first signs that English was on the rise was the move by canton Zurich’s education department to introduce it as the first foreign language taught in primary schools, in place of the traditional French. The decision was at…

Maternal instinct is not enough

This content was published on Jan 4, 2003 Last year alone, it is estimated that more than 50,000 parents attended courses ranging from baby massage and dealing with the “terrible twos” to coping with a rebellious teenager. Despite its popularity, parent education in Switzerland remains firmly in the voluntary sector. There is no government department for family matters, and almost no public funding…

A glimmer of hope for a lost generation

This content was published on Jan 4, 2003 One of dozens of projects to receive a grant from the Swiss-South African Cooperation Initiative (SSACI) is a pottery school in the township of Soweto. The one-year course – which is heavily oversubscribed – is open to unemployed and unskilled students looking to gain vocational training as ceramic artists. SSACI estimates that the unemployment rate…

Switzerland pays homage to Eccles

This content was published on Jan 4, 2003 A new foundation aiming at continuing his research has opened its doors in Ticino, where the Australian-born neuroscientist spent the last years of his life. Eccles was born in Melbourne on January 27, 1903, and dedicated most of his life to neuroscience and research into the communication among nerve cells. Together with his wife Helena,…

Avalanche victim cheats death

This content was published on Jan 3, 2003 The man, who was skiing to the Jungfraujoch – the highest alpine station in Europe – was discovered by a Swiss rescue hound. The 23-year-old had started out from the Mönchjochhütte with a friend on New Year’s eve when they triggered an avalanche. “He disappeared [in the snow] and was dragged down the slope for…

Car imports to display green credentials

This content was published on Jan 3, 2003 The colourful labels, coded A to G, are similar to those already seen on electrical appliances, and will help emphasise cars that use less fuel. The A category will be awarded to smaller, urban-friendly cars, whereas the other end of the scale will be used to identify less environmentally sound models. The new classification for…

Swiss beats the drum for business women

This content was published on Jan 3, 2003 Rüegg has been elected president of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women. Founded in Geneva in 1930, BPW now has 50,000 members in more than 100 countries. “Our principal goal – to empower women in shaping a more humane society with the same degree of influence as their male peers – is part…

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Swisscom seeks to preserve “last mile” monopoly

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Record year for Swiss buyouts

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Economy to remain in the doldrums

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English powers ahead

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Maternal instinct is not enough

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A glimmer of hope for a lost generation

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Switzerland pays homage to Eccles

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Avalanche victim cheats death

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Car imports to display green credentials

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Swiss beats the drum for business women

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