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Controversial rail freight accord being signed with Italy

This content was published on Feb 2, 2000 A rail cargo joint venture between the Swiss Federal Railways and Italian state railways is due to be signed today. But rail workers in Italy have opposed the new co-operation agreement and have called for a strike on February 18. The signing ceremony in Rome was due to be attended by the Swiss Transport Minister,…

Swiss fare well in new Forbes survey

This content was published on Feb 2, 2000 Switzerland’s standing as one of the countries with the lowest overall rates of taxation has been confirmed in a new survey by the American business magazine “Forbes Global”. In a survey of direct taxation, social security contributions and indirect taxes in 30 countries, Switzerland finds itself in 14th place, at a rate comparable with the…

Julius Bär bank reports sharp rise in profits

This content was published on Feb 2, 2000 The private bank and asset manager Julius Bär has reported healthy results for 1999. Pretax profits rose to SFr396 million, a gain of seven per cent from SFr370 million the previous year. Profit after tax fell 11 per cent to SFr268 million but the drop reflected changes in taxation law that saw an exceptional boost…

Controversial Swiss, Italian rail cargo venture signed

This content was published on Feb 2, 2000 A rail cargo joint venture between the Swiss Federal Railways and Italian State Railways has been signed in Rome, creating the second biggest concern in European freight transport. However, rail workers in Italy have opposed the new co-operation agreement and have called for a strike on February 18. The two rail companies have formed Cargo…

Government approves revision of pension scheme

This content was published on Feb 2, 2000 The Swiss cabinet has approved the latest revision of the old age pension scheme which foresees a cut in government expenditure of SFr1.3 billion. The Interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, (pictured) presented the proposals to the cabinet. The aim of the 11th revision of the old age pension scheme is to consolidate the progress that has…

Union threatens legal action against Swissair

This content was published on Feb 1, 2000 The union representing the service sector, unia, has threatened legal action against the national carrier Swissair for alleged discrimination against some 800 part-time flight attendants, most of them women. At a news conference in Berne, unia said that part-time flight attendants were paid up to 40 per cent less than their full-time colleagues who had…

Swiss schoolchildren better behaved than overseas counterparts

This content was published on Feb 1, 2000 Swiss schoolchildren have fewer vices than their counterparts in many parts of the world, according to a new study by the World Health Organisation. Not only do Switzerland’s youngsters smoke and drink less, but they put schoolwork and sports ahead of watching TV and playing computer games. The study looked at 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds…

Rising gas use may spark new industry in Switzerland

This content was published on Feb 1, 2000 Switzerland could soon become a producer of natural gas, if domestic consumption continues to grow. Gas usage reached record levels in 1999, leading to speculation that it may soon be viable for Switzerland to begin exploiting its untapped reserves. Historically, it has not made economic sense for Switzerland to produce its own natural gas. But…

Zurich firm takes stake in British insurer

This content was published on Feb 1, 2000 Zürich Financial Services is expanding in Britain, with the takeover of the distribution operations of a leading British insurance company, Abbey Life. The deal is worth SFr208 million, a spokesman for the company said in Zürich. The British subsidiary of the company has carried out the takeover. The move will mean the creation of the…

PC sales in Switzerland pass one million mark

This content was published on Feb 1, 2000 Sales of personal computers in Switzerland passed the one million mark for the first time last year – an increase of nearly 15 per cent over 1998, according to a public consultancy firm. Figures released by the Zurich-based Robert Weiss Consulting showed that 1,033,000 PCs were sold in Switzerland last year. However, in percentage terms…

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Controversial rail freight accord being signed with Italy

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Swiss fare well in new Forbes survey

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Julius Bär bank reports sharp rise in profits

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Controversial Swiss, Italian rail cargo venture signed

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Government approves revision of pension scheme

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Union threatens legal action against Swissair

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Swiss schoolchildren better behaved than overseas counterparts

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Rising gas use may spark new industry in Switzerland

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Zurich firm takes stake in British insurer

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PC sales in Switzerland pass one million mark

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