Category Archive: 3.) Swissinfo Business and Economy

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Swiss labour market remains strong

2026-09-07

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2026-09-07

The Swiss labour market continues to show signs of strength against a backdrop of geopolitical and economic uncertainties. This was stated by Jérôme Cosandey, head of the labour division at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), while commenting via teleconference on the unemployment figures (3% in August). The only significant increase was among young …

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Swiss union analyses AI impact on telecoms staff

2026-09-07

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2026-09-07

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in the Swiss information and communications technology (ICT) sector, but its impact on work is mixed. Whilst employees do report an increase in efficiency, they also cite higher demands, a growing workload, uncertainty and ever-increasing pressure. This has been revealed by a study carried out by the consultancy firm …

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Swiss start-ups wrestle with European funding gap

2026-09-07

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2026-09-07

When Clara Lepsius graduated from the federal technology institute Zurich (ETH), she went to Harvard University to do her thesis. In the US, she teamed up with another ETH alum on a startup that merges tech with infant nutrition. Today, both are back in Zurich. They chose to develop their project in Switzerland rather than …

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Free delivery less common in Swiss online shops

2026-09-07

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2026-09-07

Unconditional free delivery is increasingly becoming the exception among Switzerland’s largest online shops. At the same time, more and more retailers are delivering orders the very next day. This is according to the latest analysis by the e-commerce consultancy Carpathia. Of the 49 highest-turnover B2C online shops surveyed, 12.2% still offer free delivery regardless of …

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Swiss fishermen and women launch ‘wild fish’ label

2026-09-06

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2026-09-06

Swiss commercial fishers have launched a new label to identify wild fish from the country’s lakes. The “Swiss Wild Fish” label is intended to guarantee the product’s origin, traceability and quality. Swiss professional fishers' associations are thus creating, for the first time, a standardised identification label for local fish. It is intended to help distinguish …

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VW restructuring has limited impact on Swiss companies

2026-09-04

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2026-09-04

Swiss suppliers to the automotive sector are expected, for the time being, to escape the worst of the major restructuring announced by the German giant Volkswagen. The Bern-based manufacturer Feintool, however, could be more exposed than other companies. The Lyss-based company – which manufactures, amongst other things, components for car powertrains and seats, as well …

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Job adverts for Swiss-based bank posts fall10%

2026-09-04

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2026-09-04

Swiss banks are recruiting fewer staff, according to analysis of job vacancies published on the websites of the country’s ten leading banks. Overall, in August, the number of job adverts fell by 10% (to 524) compared with July, according to a survey carried out by the job portal Indeed on behalf of the new agency … Continue...

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Chinese retail platform Temu challenges consumers and retailers

2026-09-04

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2026-09-04

Chinese discount retailer Temu wants to get closer to its customers – via Swiss retailers and warehouses in Europe. However, just because something is labelled "local" does not necessarily mean there is a Swiss supplier behind it. In the event of a dispute, this can become a problem for consumers. Since Temu was founded in …

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Switzerland has worst summer potato harvest on record

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

This summer’s heatwave led to the worst potato harvest in Switzerland since records began. To make up for this, 130,000 tonnes of potatoes had to be imported. This year, Swiss farmers harvested just 333,000 tonnes of potatoes, the industry umbrella organisation Swisspatat said on Thursday. This is nearly 20% less than the average over the …

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Petition launched to stop outsourcing of Swiss Post, Swisscom jobs

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

A public-sector union is launching a petition to halt the outsourcing of jobs abroad by Swiss Post and Swisscom. The campaign, launched by the union Transfair, is urging the Swiss government and parliament to take action to put a stop to what it considers to be a development that runs counter to the country’s interests. …

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Swiss summer storm damage to cost insurers hundreds of millions of francs

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

The damage caused in Switzerland by a storm at the end of August is likely to prove very costly. According to initial estimates by insurers, it will be at least in the three-digit million range, a survey carried out by the AWP news agency shows. The violent weather on August 28 was by far the … Continue...

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Geneva Airport generates over CHF3 billion for regional economy: report

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

Geneva Airport, the operator of the international airfield at Cointrin, generates CHF3.3 billion ($4.08 billion) in added value and provides nearly 22,000 jobs, a new study shows. The airport's chief executive intends to continue strengthening air connectivity, which is particularly important for businesses. Of the CHF3.3 billion, nearly CHF2 billion went to the canton of …

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Swiss economy posts strong growth in second quarter

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

The Swiss economy grew by 1.5% in the second quarter of the year, compared with the previous quarter, according to the second estimate published on Thursday by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). This figure, adjusted for sporting events, confirms the estimates released in mid-August, which point to a marked acceleration following a rise …

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Nestlé to invest over CHF300 million in Brazil

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

The Swiss food group Nestlé is investing a total of CHF310 million ($380 million) in its nutrition and health business in Brazil by 2028. Part of this investment involves the construction of a new baby-food factory. Around CHF94 million are being invested in the new plant in Ituiutaba, in the state of Minas Gerais, Nestlé …

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Swiss inflation rate jumps to highest level in two years

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

Swiss inflation accelerated far more than analysts anticipated to the fastest pace since September 2024, suggesting a weaker franc is feeding through to the economy. Consumer prices rose 0.8% in August from a year earlier, up from 0.4% in July, the Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday. The result was higher than every single forecast …

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The numbers behind China’s pharma rise

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

For decades, China was known for producing cheap copycat drugs and ingredients for large pharmaceutical firms. But it now has its own cutting-edge drug industry, creating opportunities and competition for big pharma players like Swiss firms Roche and Novartis. China’s biopharmaceutical industry has long been characterised by its fast-follower nature and large-scale manufacturing base – …

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China’s pharma companies turn to Europe for growth

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

China has emerged as a powerhouse of biotech innovation, but local firms still face a steep climb toward financial stability and global growth. Swissinfo spoke with three Chinese companies navigating these hurdles as they set their sights on Europe. At this year’s Swiss Biotech Day in Basel in May, 12 Chinese companies – nearly double …

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Is there still a future for vitamin production in Switzerland?

2026-09-03

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2026-09-03

China is flooding the global vitamin market, leaving European vitamin producers in a precarious position. The world’s largest vitamin E factory is located in Sisseln, in the canton of Aargau in northern Switzerland. Vitamins have been produced there since the 1970s, and around a third of the world’s vitamin E comes from the site. Silvia …

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Novartis to cut up to 130 jobs in Basel

2026-09-02

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2026-09-02

The pharmaceutical company Novartis is cutting up to 130 jobs in Basel by the end of 2027. The reason, the company announced on Wednesday, is that it is discontinuing the small-scale production of biologics in the Kleinbasel district. In the future, other biologics sites around the world will take over the tasks of the Basel … Continue...

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Swiss government launches consultation on new agriculture policy

2026-09-02

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2026-09-02

The Swiss government has launched the public consultation on the agricultural policy from 2030 onwards. Key objectives for the policy include greater food security and freedom for farmers. On Wednesday, the federal government launched a consultation on the draft bill entitled "Agricultural Policy from 2030 (AP30+)". The consultation will run until December 8. Not only …

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