Category Archive: 3.) Swissinfo Business and Economy

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Switzerland eases arms export rules as its industry is shunned by Europe

2026-01-29

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2026-01-29

The pendulum on Switzerland’s sale of weapons to countries embroiled in conflict has swung in favour of its defence industry, as Europe rearms at a rate not seen since the Cold War. Swiss officials insist such exports are compatible with neutrality. Over the course of 2022, Germany twice asked Switzerland to allow it to re-export …

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Swiss watch exports continued to fall in 2025

2026-01-29

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2026-01-29

Swiss watch manufacturers sold slightly fewer timepieces abroad last year, with exports to China and Hong Kong suffering a hard fall. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Exports to the United States were more or less stable. Swiss manufacturers exported a total of CHF25.6 billion worth of watches, stated the …

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Minneapolis outrage, apps for boycotting US goods, and anti-MAGA crows

2026-01-28

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2026-01-28

Welcome to our press review of events in the United States. Every Wednesday I look at how the Swiss media have reported and reacted to three major stories in the US – in politics, finance and science. This week headlines in Switzerland were dominated by the killing in Minneapolis on Saturday of Alex Pretti, an …

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Value added tax: the Swiss government’s all-purpose tool

2026-01-28

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2026-01-28

Switzerland has the lowest VAT rate in Europe. Now the Swiss government wants to increase it from 8.1% to 8.9% to pay for national defence. An explainer on the Swiss peculiarities of the most commonplace of all taxes. Why does the Swiss government want to increase VAT? The Swiss government wants to increase VAT by …

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Swiss franc surges to decade high as traders seek last ‘reliable’ haven

2026-01-28

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2026-01-28

Alpine currency at strongest level since 2015 shock appreciation, putting pressure on central bank. The Swiss franc has surged to its strongest level against the US dollar in more than a decade, as a stampede into what traders are calling currency markets’ last “reliable” haven poses an increasing problem for the Swiss National Bank. The …

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Inside Switzerland’s Quiet Rise as a Longevity Hub | Listen to The Swiss Connection

2026-01-27

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In a special bonus episode of our podcast The Swiss Connection, our host, Jo Fahy, is joined in the studio by pharmaceuticals and healthcare reporter Jessica Davis Pluss. We trace how Switzerland was uniquely positioned to become a global hub for healthier ageing. We also compare lifespan and health span, examine why access to clinics is so tightly guarded, and discuss why the pharmaceutical industry is moving cautiously in this growing field....

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Swiss franc strengthens against dollar, but SNB unlikely to intervene

2026-01-27

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2026-01-27

The Swiss franc continues to get stronger against the dollar, with a new high reported on Tuesday. But the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is unlikely to intervene, according to a financial expert. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox On Tuesday afternoon, one US dollar fell to CHF0.7701, its lowest level ever, …

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Bonus Episode – Inside Switzerland’s Quiet Rise as a Longevity Hub

2026-01-27

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Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/910414/open_sms) How did longevity go from a social media trend to a focus of serious science? In this special bonus episode our host, Jo Fahy, is joined in the studio by pharmaceuticals and healthcare reporter, Jessica Davis Pluss. We trace how Switzerland was uniquely positioned to become a global hub for healthier ageing. We also compare lifespan and health span, examine why...

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Technical issue causes flight disruption at Geneva Airport

2026-01-27

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2026-01-27

Flights were disrupted at Geneva Airport on Tuesday after a technical problem at the air traffic controller Skyguide prevented take-offs and landings. Flights have resumed but delays are expected throughout the day, officials say. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Half of all flights were able to resume shortly after 10am, …

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Swiss Federal Railways reports record punctuality in 2025

2026-01-27

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2026-01-27

Swiss Federal Railways has reported a record 94.1% punctuality rate for 2025. Canton Ticino was the only region to see a drop in punctuality, while French-speaking Switzerland saw a major improvement. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Compared to 2024, passenger punctuality improved by 0.9%, Federal Railways reported on Tuesday. And …

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Survey: Swiss want more homes but without densification

2026-01-27

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2026-01-27

Most Swiss residents agree that there is not enough housing available in their local region. But a majority is reluctant to densify urban areas or introduce other construction measures to create more living spaces, a new survey shows. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Is there too little housing available where …

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Roche reports positive results for experimental obesity drug

2026-01-27

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2026-01-27

Swiss pharma giant Roche said on Tuesday that a phase II clinical trial of its experimental obesity drug CT-388 had given positive results. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox In the study participants who received the active ingredient CT-388 once a week for 48 weeks lost over 20% of their body …

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WEF co-president wants Klaus Schwab to return in 2027

2026-01-25

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2026-01-25

World Economic Forum (WEF) Co-President André Hoffmann wants founder Klaus Schwab back in Davos – next year. Not as an organiser, but as a guest. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox “The succession process should of course not be reversed,” Hoffmann, who is heir to Swiss pharma giant Roche, said …

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Explainer: What does Switzerland freezing “any assets” owned by Nicolás Maduro really mean?

2026-01-23

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2026-01-23

Switzerland says it will freeze “any assets” it holds belonging to Nicolás Maduro. What assets does the deposed Venezuelan leader have in Switzerland, if any? And does Switzerland have to follow sanctions imposed by the United States? On January 5, Switzerland decided to freeze “any assets” held by former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro after the …

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Trump’s Davos outbursts, Crans‑Montana safety failings and a surprisingly clever cow

2026-01-23

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Here are three stories from Switzerland this week. --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or subscribe to our YouTube channel: Website: http://www.swissinfo.ch Channel: http://www.youtube.com/swissinfovideos Subscribe:...

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Thermal baths are multiplying and moving upmarket in Swiss resorts

2026-01-23

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2026-01-23

From the 'Aquae Helveticae' of Roman times to futuristic spa complexes, Switzerland’s thermal water tradition spans two millennia. Today, several resorts are investing heavily in luxury and immersive wellness experiences. But as the sector expands, questions arise about sustainability and limits: how far can wellness fever go? People were already bathing at Aquae Helveticae some …

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WEF analysis: Loud Trump in quiet Switzerland

2026-01-23

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2026-01-23

Donald Trump dominated the WEF to such an extent that it was difficult for many observers to watch, according to an analysis by journalist Jan Baumann of SRF. This was due in no small part to Trump's disparaging remarks about other heads of state, including Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter. However, the numerous business leaders …

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How Europe’s carbon border tax will change trade and climate policy

2026-01-23

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2026-01-23

In a major shake-up of green trade rules, the European Union began charging a carbon-emissions tax on imported goods such as steel and cement at the beginning of this year. Here’s how and why this first-of-its-kind policy, known as a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), is already reshaping climate practices far beyond the EU. Switzerland's …

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Bern and Washington to start trade negotiations ‘as soon as possible’

2026-01-22

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2026-01-22

Switzerland and the United States want to start the first round of negotiations for a trade agreement as soon as possible, according to Swiss economics minister Guy Parmelin. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The first round of negotiations will take place in Bern. Parmelin held "very constructive talks" with …

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‘Without the United States, Switzerland would no longer be Switzerland,’ asserts Donald Trump

2026-01-22

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2026-01-22

In his lengthy speech at the Davos Economic Forum, the American president asserted that Switzerland "would no longer be Switzerland without the United States." He also justified the tariffs on Swiss products and criticised former president Karin Keller-Sutter's "aggressive attitude." This diatribe did not prevent president Guy Parmelin from describing his discussion with Trump that …

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