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WTO to press ahead with trade talks in Qatar

This content was published on Oct 22, 2001 After two days of talks with Qatari officials in Doha, WTO Director-General Mike Moore said the Geneva-based organisation’s 4th Ministerial Conference would be held as planned between November 9 and 13. The meeting is expected to lead to a new round of global trade talks. “We are going ahead. I am confident with the planning…

Government to decide on state aid for successor to Swissair

This content was published on Oct 22, 2001 The decision is expected after a weekend of high-level talks among the government, Swiss business leaders and cantonal authorities. A finance ministry spokesman on Sunday said there were “strong signals” that an accord could be reached to finance a new airline based around the regional carrier, Crossair, and incorporating some of the remains of Swissair.…

SGS makes strategic acquisition in Australia

This content was published on Oct 22, 2001 A statement from SGS headquarters in Geneva on Monday said the company had made a public offer for 100 per cent of Scientific Services shares. It did not disclose a figure for the deal. Scientific Services is active in testing and analytical services to the global minerals and petroleum industries, with operations centred mainly in…

Swiss Re raises capital to pay for Lincoln acquisition

This content was published on Oct 22, 2001 Swiss Re is to issue 28,522,370 shares, offering existing shareholders one new share for every 10 held. The move is expected to raise capital by almost 10 per cent. Swiss Re announced the SFr3.36 billion deal in July, saying that Lincoln Re – part of the Lincoln National Corporation in the United States – would…

Swiss political parties split over future of Swissair

This content was published on Oct 22, 2001 At the Radical Party’s meeting in Schaffhausen, the economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, said it was necessary for the government to intervene in the Swissair debacle for both “political and economic” reasons. He said that airline routes and services needed to be maintained and that the affair needed to be sorted out quickly and efficiently, so…

Through the looking glass factory

This content was published on Oct 22, 2001 About 25 craftsmen are busily taking molten glass out of a large furnace and pouring it into moulds or blowing it into shape. They are outnumbered by the visitors watching from the viewing platform in the Glasi Hergiswil factory. About 200,000 visitors come to the factory every year (located just south of Lucerne on the…

Nestlé streamlines information flow

This content was published on Oct 21, 2001 The Vevey-based company, which has an annual turnover of SFr62.4 billion ($38 billion), has spent the last 13 years buying up major brands including Buitoni and Rowntree in 1988, Perrier in 1992 and San Pellegrino in 1998. As a result of this buying spree, Switzerland’s largest company has become an unwieldy conglomerate, with each factory…

Impasse over Swissair salvage plan

This content was published on Oct 21, 2001 The sticking point was the question of who would foot the bill for the estimated SFr1 billion ($610 million) set up costs for the new national airline, Crossair. According to the Swiss newspaper, the “SonntagsZeitung”, the government said it would provide more than half of the required SFr940 million ($572 million) start up funds, agreeing…

Funds encourage humane, pro-environment investment

This content was published on Oct 21, 2001 To qualify for funding, companies must prove that their environmental and social policies are acceptable to the banks’ fund managers. Investments in alcohol or tobacco can be turned away, and companies without effective trade union representation or equal opportunity policies for their staff may also face rejection. Carol Franklin, head of the WWF Switzerland, told…

To fly or not to fly

This content was published on Oct 21, 2001 Last week the Swiss government said it was willing to help rescue the national airline industry in the wake of the spectacular collapse of the Swissair Group, but made it clear that it would only do so if the private sector provided a large chunk of the funds required. Officials from the federal government, local…

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WTO to press ahead with trade talks in Qatar

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Government to decide on state aid for successor to Swissair

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SGS makes strategic acquisition in Australia

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Swiss Re raises capital to pay for Lincoln acquisition

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Swiss political parties split over future of Swissair

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Through the looking glass factory

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Nestlé streamlines information flow

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Impasse over Swissair salvage plan

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Funds encourage humane, pro-environment investment

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To fly or not to fly

Popular Stories

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