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Swiss count cost of isolation

This content was published on Dec 3, 2002 Supporters of closer integration with Europe claim that by rejecting membership, the Swiss economy was left lagging behind many of its competitors. In an interview with the weekly “NZZ am Sonntag”, the Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, said Switzerland had chosen a “slow and difficult path” when it voted against joining the EEA. “Joining the…

Christmas shopping reaches new heights

This content was published on Dec 3, 2002 The highest Christmas market in Europe is held on its summit, more than 2,000 metres above sea level. It is also the first Christmas market of the season in Switzerland. The dragons have long been tamed and Pilate’s spirit put to rest. In their place come tens of thousands of tourists who ascend the heights…

Wireless network launches amid security concerns

This content was published on Dec 2, 2002 The “hotspots” include train stations, hotels, exhibition and congress centres but fears have already been expressed about security. Swisscom Mobile, which is providing the network, hopes to increase the number of locations to 250 by the end of 2003. A private telecoms company, based in Zurich, already offers wireless technology at Zurich airport and in…

Swiss entrepreneurship: stark contradictions

This content was published on Dec 2, 2002 Switzerland has a “total entrepreneurial activity” of 7.13 per cent, near the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development average of 7.15 per cent. A recently-released report produced by a team of researchers from HEC Lausanne, the Institute of Management Development (IMD) and the Swiss Research Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship of St Gallen (IGW)…

Scientists get lessons in business

This content was published on Dec 2, 2002 The course has been running at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne for over two years and aims to help scientists think like business people. Launched by the Institute in March 2000, the CREATE Switzerland course will be available in Zurich for the first time on December 9, and in Basel and St Gallen…

Swiss lack the courage for entrepreneurial success

This content was published on Dec 1, 2002 The Lausanne-based business school, IMD, found the Swiss were afraid to take risks and set up in business on their own, preferring the security of being an employee. Switzerland ranked 18th out of 37 countries in terms of entrepreneurial spirit. Although its total entrepreneurial activity, at 7.13 per cent, was higher than most EU countries,…

ABB looking at just 100,000 jobs

This content was published on Dec 1, 2002 The troubled engineering group announced just a few weeks ago that it would be slashing around 10,000 jobs from its payroll as part of a restructuring plan. Peter Voser, ABB’s chief financial officer, told the “SonntagsZeitung” newspaper that the company was focusing on its core activities of automation products and energy technology, and should employ…

Christmas markets in Switzerland

This content was published on Dec 1, 2002 However, those wishing to purchase their unique gifts on top of Mount Pilatus will have to wait another year. Even though, Europe’s highest Christmas event opened and closed in mid-November, most other Swiss markets are just opening. Basel’s stretches for three kilometres from Aeschenplatz to Messeplatz, intersecting the old town and crossing bridges. Every Christmas…

Campaigners launch rival WEF summit

This content was published on Nov 30, 2002 They hope the event will foster improved relations and dialogue between the two opposing camps. However, the move has attracted criticism from some anti-globalisation campaigners who fear it will paint the WEF in a more positive light. In the past, the gathering of world and business leaders has sparked off violent protests. The Swiss authorities…

Return to the homeland

This content was published on Nov 30, 2002 The bulk of them are heading for Zurich or Geneva and are forced to depend on social welfare when they arrive. More than 400 people with dual Argentinian-Swiss nationality have left the South American country this year, returning to the land of their parents and grandparents. Between 1850 and 1940, 40,000 Swiss, mainly from poor…

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