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EFTA set to strengthen trade ties with Latin America

This content was published on Dec 12, 2000 The deal with Mercosur, signed on Tuesday, is seen as a first step towards a free trade agreement. The Swiss economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, as well as ministers from the three other EFTA countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, were present at the ceremony. The Mercosur members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. An EFTA spokesman…

Tourists flock to Switzerland despite absence of snow

This content was published on Dec 12, 2000 Switzerland Tourism said on Tuesday that visitor numbers were easily equal to those of last year, and there were no indications that a slump was imminent. One reason, according to Switzerland Tourism spokeswoman, Daniela Gren, is that Swiss people make up the largest proportion of tourists and, because they can ski at any time, they…

Top two restaurants hold on to their star quality

This content was published on Dec 12, 2000 Rochat is a chef at the “Restaurant de l’Hotel de Ville” in Crissier while Rabaey works at the “Pont de Brent” in Montreux. The number of restaurants awarded two stars rose to 10 from eight the previous year. The “Auberge du Raisin” in canton Vaud and the “Bruderholz” in Basel were promoted to become the…

Life policies drive growth in insurance business

This content was published on Dec 12, 2000 Swiss Re said that in 1999 global premium income in the insurance industry, adjusted for inflation, recorded growth of 4.5 per cent. The company said booming sales of life insurance policies accounted for most of the growth. Worldwide premium volume in 1999 amounted to $2,324 billion (SFr3,974 billion), with life insurance accounting for 61 per…

Serono links up with US firm

This content was published on Dec 12, 2000 The deal, announced on Tuesday, aims to discover, develop and market inhibitors for the treatment of neurological and inflammatory diseases. Under the terms of the accord, Vertex could receive up to $95 million (SFr162 million) to support and expand its drug discovery activities. A statement said the two companies expected to select a first drug…

Swissair looking to buy stake in Malaysian carrier

This content was published on Dec 12, 2000 The company had said it was interested in a “strategic partnership” with the Malaysian carrier, but Swissair officials confirmed on Monday that their interest goes beyond existing mutual cooperation. “I can confirm we have asked the [Malaysian] government and the airline to be considered a possible strategic equity partner,” said Swissair spokesman, Jean-Claude Donzel. He…

Switzerland bans sale of meat-based fodder

This content was published on Dec 11, 2000 He said on Monday the measures were designed to stop the spread of BSE or Mad Cow Disease. There are fears that BSE can be transferred to humans as new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD), although the scientific evidence is inconclusive. The government had initially aimed to have the ban on meat and bone meal in…

Switzerland takes part in UN conference on spread of deserts

This content was published on Dec 11, 2000 The director of the UN secretariat to combat desertification, Hama Arba Diallo, said a fifth of the world’s population was at risk. He said land erosion and the spread of deserts was leading to growing poverty, a scarcity of food and increased migration. Diallo said no time could be wasted in finding ways to combat…

Government announces help for flood-hit areas

This content was published on Dec 11, 2000 The government’s contribution will cover approximately half the estimated cost of repairing the flood-damaged buildings. The largest share of the cash will go to canton Valais, which was worst affected. Damage to public buildings in the canton is estimated at SFr290 million. According to government estimates, the bad weather caused total damage of SFr310 million…

Government touts success of “green” policies

This content was published on Dec 11, 2000 In a statement on Monday, the cabinet said its policies would lead to a five per cent fall in energy consumption this year, largely as a result of measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It added that the government’s drive for sustainable development had influenced its financial and foreign policy. It cited the introduction…

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EFTA set to strengthen trade ties with Latin America

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Tourists flock to Switzerland despite absence of snow

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Top two restaurants hold on to their star quality

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Life policies drive growth in insurance business

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Serono links up with US firm

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Swissair looking to buy stake in Malaysian carrier

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Switzerland bans sale of meat-based fodder

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Switzerland takes part in UN conference on spread of deserts

More

Government announces help for flood-hit areas

More

Government touts success of “green” policies

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