Category Archive: 3) Swiss Markets and News

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Pilot project tests power backup from electric cars

An innovative pilot project testing the potential of electric cars to stabilise the power grid has been launched in Switzerland.

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Credit Suisse reportedly slashing 5,000 jobs globally

Embattled Swiss bank Credit Suisse is planning to cut around 10% of its workforce as part of a major cost cutting drive, according to several media reports.

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Swiss GDP growth jumps in 2021

Switzerland’s Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.2% in 2021, according to recently released data by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The increase follows a decrease of -2.4% in 2020, a year marking the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

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Swiss government launches energy saving campaign

On 31 August 2022, Switzerland’s federal government launched its campaign to cut energy consumption to reduce the risks of an energy shortfall over the coming winter.

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Steel mill applies for reduced working hours due to energy costs

High energy prices have forced a steel mill in Switzerland to prepare for short-time working to avoid layoffs.   

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Swiss bank takes plunge into the metaverse

Swiss digital assets bank Sygnum will open a branch in the metaverse to reach more clients seeking blockchain-based financial services. Sygnum was one of two banks that were awarded licenses in 2019 to connect traditional finance with cryptocurrencies and the blockchain. Blockchain and other Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) databases provide a home for digital currencies and other assets, such as company shares, collectibles and art.

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Electricity shortage boosts solar energy

Fears of an electricity shortage in Switzerland appear to have had a positive effect on the expansion of solar energy. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) expects the market to grow by around 50% in 2022.

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Inflation continues to bite in Switzerland

The cost of goods and services in Switzerland rose 3.5% in August compared to the same month last year, but the inflation rate still remains below that of many other countries.

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Swiss population urged to save energy to mitigate winter shortages

The Swiss government has appealed to the population to save on household energy ahead of anticipated electricity and gas shortages this winter.

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Switzerland should get tougher on money-laundering, says report

Swiss legislation is lagging behind in the fight against money laundering, and “seldom anticipates developments at international level”, the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) has warned.

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Healthcare and pensions top Swiss worry list

Healthcare costs, the pension system and climate change are the top three burning issues for the Swiss, according to a survey published by the Tamedia group. Covid has slipped out of sight and mind.

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Swiss electricity boss: energy policy not to blame for shortages

The head of the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission (Elcom) reckons a winter energy crisis is virtually unavoidable. However, he said the cause of the problem – war in Ukraine – was also difficult to predict.

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Switzerland’s population older than ever, shows recent data

In Switzerland, almost 1.7 million people were aged 65 or older at the end of 2021, a figure that makes up 19% of the population, according to data published on 28 August 2022.

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Swiss panoramic train to debut in December

The GoldenPass Express (GPX) panoramic train, which will link Montreux to Interlaken without any station changes, will make its debut on December 11. 

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Novartis job cuts to heavily impact management roles

Of the 1,400 job cuts announced by the pharma giant in Switzerland, up to half of them will involve staff in leadership positions, the company said on Monday. For these executive roles, the consultation process has been finalised, and the first individuals concerned will be informed “in the coming weeks”, said the head of Novartis Switzerland Matthias Leuenberger at a media event in Zurich.

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Zurich airport bounces back to profit after pandemic

Switzerland’s busiest airport has posted a CHF55 million ($57 million) net profit for the first six months of the year as post-pandemic air travel picks up.

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Switzerland banks on hydropower reserve to combat energy crunch

The Swiss Federal Electricity Commission (Elcom) has laid out plans to hold back hydropower reserves to help compensate for anticipated energy shortages this winter.

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Concerns raised over looming energy shortage

Leading voices from business and politics have called on the Swiss government – and in particular economy minister Guy Parmelin – to do more about possible energy and gas shortages over the winter.

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Swiss minister urges calm over energy shortage fears

The threat of energy shortages in Switzerland this winter should not be over-dramatised, Economics Minister Guy Parmelin has said in response to growing calls at the weekend for government action.

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Developer invests CH170 million in new Swiss tourist resort

The Andermatt Swiss Alps (ASA) company, majority owned by Egyptian financier Samih Sawiris, is to build a new 1,800-bed Alpine resort in the Sedrun region in southeast Switzerland.

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