Category Archive: 3) Swiss Markets and News

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Covid: new negative test requirement for entering Switzerland

2021-02-11

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2021-02-11

From Monday 8 February 2021, many people entering Switzerland require a negative PCR test. Currently, there are restrictions on who can enter Switzerland. Generally, only those with a Swiss passport, a valid Swiss residence or cross-border permit, and those who are citizens of an EU or EFTA nation are allowed to enter Switzerland under the current Covid-19 restrictions.

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‘Looking after citizens’ ID data is a sovereign task’

2021-02-10

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2021-02-10

Lawyer and parliamentarian Sibel Arslan explains why she is against the proposed new law on digital identity (eID) and why rejecting it would be an opportunity for digitisation. 

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Covid: time to double down, says Swiss expert

2021-02-10

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2021-02-10

Since reaching a peak in early November 2020, Covid-19 cases in Switzerland have fallen significantly. The 7-day daily average was 8,238 on 8 November 2020. By 8 February 2021, this figure was down by more than 80% at 1,437. However, according to Martin Ackermann, head of the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force, now is not the time for Switzerland to relax.

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Covid: Israel’s vaccine experiment looks promising

2021-02-09

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2021-02-09

Israel leads the world in the race to vaccinate against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in what some are calling the world’s leading Covid-19 vaccine experiment. 64 doses of vaccine per 100 people have been administered there, far more than in any other nation.

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Switzerland experiences highest unemployment rate in a decade

2021-02-08

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2021-02-08

The unemployment rate in Switzerland rose again in January, reaching 3.7% - the highest level since April 2010. 

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The introduction of women’s suffrage worldwide

2021-02-07

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Switzerland was one of the last countries to grant women their right to vote, preceding only 22 other countries worldwide. Today, only one country doesn't allow women voters to cast their ballot in national elections, just because there aren't any. In Vatican City, an absolute monarchy, the legislators are appointed by the Pope. Neither male nor female citizens have the right to vote. February 7, 2021, marks the 50th anniversary of Swiss women's...

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Protecting livestock from predators costs Swiss taxpayers millions

2021-02-07

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2021-02-07

The federal government spends CHF4 million (around $4.4 million) a year to minimise the damage caused by predators like wolves and lynx.

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Vaccine delays costing Switzerland up to 100 million francs a day

2021-02-06

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2021-02-06

A recent study by Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force calculates that vaccination delays are reducing Switzerland’s national output (GDP) by between CHF 50 – 100 million per day, according to RTS.

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Covid: responding to coronavirus denial

2021-02-05

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2021-02-05

This week, the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force published a guide on responding to coronavirus denial. During second wave, trust in the decisions of the Swiss authorities dropped below where it was in spring, and the social consensus on how to respond to the pandemic eroded over the summer, said the authors.

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Can Novartis really make its medicines available to everyone?

2021-02-05

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2021-02-05

Novartis has said it wants everyone in the world to be able to access its products, even multi-million-dollar gene therapies. Can its experiment work?

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Are Switzerland’s new tax breaks for companies a licence to misbehave?

2021-02-03

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2021-02-03

Switzerland has announced that companies will be able to deduct multi-million dollar fines incurred abroad from their tax bill. Critics argue it rewards bad behaviour.

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Julius Baer: mast do better

2021-02-02

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2021-02-02

Swiss private bank Julius Baer has benefitted from rising global markets over the past year, but can it keep it up the momentum?

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Switzerland’s four languages

2021-02-01

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The Swiss are known for their multilingualism. The proportion of polyglots has increased slightly since 2014, according to a new report from the Federal Statistical Office. Over two-thirds of adults regularly use more than one language. They need these skills to communicate with each other, either in the workplace or across the four distinct language regions. The majority speak German, followed by French, Italian and Romansh. The latter is in...

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Is the grass greener outside the EU?

2021-02-01

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2021-02-01

Britain argues that Brexit will make British agriculture greener. SWI Swissinfo.ch looks at how successful EU agricultural policies have been, and how they compare with Switzerland’s approach.  

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UBS Multibanking available to corporate clients throughout Switzerland

2021-02-01

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2021-02-01

UBS has successfully completed the pilot phase of its new multibanking function and is now gradually rolling out the offering across Switzerland. UBS Multibanking will now also give SMEs full transparency over all their accounts and allow them to execute payments debited from accounts with third-party banks directly in UBS E-Banking.

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Indonesia’s palm oil angers Swiss anti-globalisation activists

2021-01-31

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2021-01-31

A free trade agreement between Switzerland and Indonesia has been challenged to a nationwide vote. The controversy focuses on the production and imports of palm oil.

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Deal or no Deal: How five non-member states handle EU relations

2021-01-30

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2021-01-30

With Brexit done, Switzerland is hoping it can restart negotiations on its framework agreement with the European Union. The experience of other non-member states offers some valuable lessons on how it can engage with Brussels, though no blueprint exists.  SWI swissinfo.ch looks at how five other non-member states have negotiated with the EU.

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Pandemic dents Swiss appetite for new cars

2021-01-30

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2021-01-30

Covid-19 has been blamed for a 17.8% decline in car registrations in Switzerland last year. The number of motor vehicle sales fell even further – by nearly a quarter.

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Johnson & Johnson Swiss branch relocation threatens 320 jobs

2021-01-29

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2021-01-29

American pharma group Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is to transfer four of its canton Neuchâtel-based subsidiaries to other locations – including abroad. The move is expected to result in the loss of up to 320 jobs by mid-2023.

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Covid: a majority of Swiss in favour of closing ski lifts

2021-01-29

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2021-01-29

According to a recent survey by Swiss media company Tamedia, 55% of the population is in favour of closing the country’s ski domains if the Covid-19 situation gets worse. reported the newspaper 20 Minutes.

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