Internal: Archive

Swiss say “no” to proposal for cheaper medicine

This content was published on Mar 4, 2001 The government had recommended rejection of the initiative, put forward by the Denner retail chain. While approving the initiative’s goal of cheaper medicines, the government said it went too far. The initiative proposed that all medicines sold in the neighbouring countries of Germany, Italy, France and Austria should automatically be available for sale in Switzerland.…

Swiss reject new speed limit for built-up areas

This content was published on Mar 4, 2001 The “Roads for all” initiative called for the introduction of a general speed limit of 30 km/h for built-up areas to be introduced within a year. The current limit is 50 km/h. The Swiss Association for Transport and Environment, which launched the initiative, claimed the speed reduction would not only increase safety but would also…

Business Outlook

This content was published on Mar 4, 2001 The Geneva-based biotechnology company, Serono, comes out with its figures on Tuesday. Analysts will be keen to see how the economic slowdown in the US has affected its results. The company is the world’s leading manufacturer of fertility drugs and is also well known for its treatments against multiple sclerosis and wasting diseases linked to…

Swiss money market strong in 2000

This content was published on Mar 3, 2001 Despite continuing controversy over Swiss banking secrecy, analysts say Swiss financial markets are still attractive to investors. Year-end results for 2000 showed that deposits and trusts held by Swiss banks amounted to SFr 3.954 trillion ($2.4 trillion). That’s an 8 per cent increase over the same period in 1999. The report also revealed that foreign…

Zurich cantonal bank joins the big league

This content was published on Mar 2, 2001 The ZKB had a very impressive millennium year, revealing its best set of results since it was founded 130 years ago. Gross profit jumped 12 per cent to SFr751 million ($457 million), with net profit up 45 per cent. The bank, which is more than double the size of its nearest cantonal rival, said the…

The business week in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 2, 2001 Almost 400 workers are to lose their jobs following Thursday’s announcement that Europe’s largest toy-maker, Lego, is to close its two factories in Baar. Management blamed the failure of a recent reorganisation to boost sales and strong competition from companies making more modern toys and games. Swiss Lego production is to be concentrated in the…

Car industry grateful for Swiss contribution

This content was published on Mar 2, 2001 Visitors to the Motor Show, which runs until March 11 at the Palexpo exhibition centre, come to marvel at the high-tech concept cars and technical innovations developed by German, Italian and Japanese firms. But what they are almost certainly unaware of is that these are often produced with Swiss help. Some 120 Swiss companies, employing…

Swisscom selling off property interests

This content was published on Mar 2, 2001 Most of the buildings are located in prime city areas across the country. Swiss Prime Site, which announced its merger with Feldschlösschen-Hürlimann Holding a few days ago, is putting up the lion’s share of the asking price with SFr706 million. By selling its property portfolio, Swisscom hopes to concentrate on its core activities. Negotiations are…

Construction market for housing remains sluggish

This content was published on Mar 2, 2001 Figures released on Friday showed housing construction weaker across most parts of the country. One exception was in communities with a population of less than 2,000 where 20 per cent more apartments were built. In the fourth quarter of last year, the rate of new apartments being constructed in the country’s five biggest cities fell…

Revenue heads upwards at Zurich airport

This content was published on Mar 2, 2001 The newly privatised “Unique Zurich airport” said on Friday that revenue from non-aviation sources – such as duty-free sales, advertising and parking – overtook earnings from aviation sources for the first time. Non-aviation revenue was up 12 per cent to SFr271 million. Aviation revenue, primarily from taxation, grew by 7.3 per cent to SFr251 million…

Internal: Archive

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Internal: Archive

More

Swiss say “no” to proposal for cheaper medicine

More

Swiss reject new speed limit for built-up areas

More

Business Outlook

More

Swiss money market strong in 2000

More

Zurich cantonal bank joins the big league

More

The business week in Switzerland

More

Car industry grateful for Swiss contribution

More

Swisscom selling off property interests

More

Construction market for housing remains sluggish

More

Revenue heads upwards at Zurich airport

Popular Stories

Most Discussed