Category Archive: 3.) Swissinfo Business and Economy

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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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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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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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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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Swiss-based ADAPT latest hedge fund to open Abu Dhabi office

2026-09-02

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2026-09-02

Swiss hedge fund ADAPT Investment Managers has become the latest among a slew of peers opening an office in Abu Dhabi as the emirate continues to attract financial firms despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The $2 billion relative-value hedge fund has started operations in the Gulf city, according to a statement from …

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Nestle to sell vitamins business for $1 billion

2026-09-02

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2026-09-02

Swiss food manufacturer Nestlé plans to sell its mainstream vitamins and supplements business to United States private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners for $1 billion. The move comes as Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil tries to streamline and turn around the Swiss foodmaker. The deal includes brands such as Nature’s Bounty, Osteo Bi-Flex and Puritan’s Pride …

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Local energy cooperatives are expanding in Switzerland

2026-09-02

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2026-09-02

According to the solar energy industry association, the model for local electricity cooperatives, which was introduced in Switzerland at the start of the year, has been a success. After just six months, there are already around 1,800 such cooperatives across Switzerland, as shown by an initial estimate from Swissolar. The figures are based on a …

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Investors tepid on Partners Group management reshuffle

2026-09-01

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2026-09-01

Swiss investment house Partners Group has reshuffled its top management after a slump in first-half earnings and warned of a weaker outlook for performance fees. The Swiss private markets firm named veterans Roberto Cagnati and Juri Jenkner as co-chief executive officers, replacing David Layton, who will become chief investment officer. The shares slumped as much …

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Switzerland is one of leading countries for remote work

2026-09-01

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2026-09-01

Swiss companies are increasingly offering remote work opportunities to attract young people, who rate this highly when making career decisions. “It’s essential to be able to offer remote working. It’s no longer an option. It’s part of our values,” Matthieu Chamorel, founding partner of the fiduciary firm DYN Group, told Swiss public broadcaster RTS. Employers …

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Swiss trade with Cuba stifled by fears of US sanctions

2026-09-01

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2026-09-01

The Cuban economy is in tatters. And Swiss companies are finding it harder than ever to do business with the island. Bank transfers are becoming increasingly difficult, as financial institutions are wary of US sanctions. Trade between Cuba and Switzerland now amounts to just a few million Swiss francs, and Switzerland’s main exports to Havana …

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UBS scores interim win on capital buffer rules

2026-09-01

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2026-09-01

UBS bank notched up an interim victory in its multi-year struggle against Switzerland’s push to make it hold billions of extra dollars in capital. The Zurich-based bank should be able to use convertible debt, known as AT1s, for as much as 50% of the extra requirement, provided that those instruments are reformed, lawmakers from the …

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Swiss air traffic controller Skyguide expects 50 redundancies

2026-08-31

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2026-08-31

Following a successful consultation process, the Swiss air traffic control company Skyguide now expects a total of 50 redundancies as part of its restructuring programme. A first wave of 14 redundancies is planned, followed by a second wave of around 35 in spring 2027. Skyguide said that, thanks to the consultation process, the number of …

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