Urban Angehrn, CEO of FINMA, August Benz, Deputy CEO of SBA, and Adrian Schatzmann, CEO of AMAS, explain the achievements of Switzerland as a financial hub, combining traditional strengths and innovative spirit
Switzerland
Blockchain
Switzerland: Natural pioneering position in the Blockchain and Crypto space
Switzerland has established itself as a global leader in the blockchain and crypto arena, from the formation of the Crypto Valley Association in Zug to the launch of multiple blockchain firms and ICOs
igitalswitzerland
Taking Switzerland to new digital heights
digitalswitzerland CEO, Stefan Metzger, shares his vision for a digitally innovative Switzerland
GCC – Switzerland Tourism
Switzerland: Something for everyone, all year round!
Each of the 26 cantons have a distinct offering that takes visitors on to a journey of culture and cuisine
acquisitions
UBS to buy Credit Suisse for $3.2bn in a move brokered by Swiss government
Under the terms of the deal, UBS will pay 0.76 of one of its shares for each share of Credit Suisse, with the Swiss Federal Council guaranteeing liquidity for the beleaguered bank
Matterhorn Mountain
Toblerone to no longer feature iconic mountain on packaging due to ‘Swissness’ rules
The mountain will no longer appear on Toblerone’s packaging
bilateral cooperation
Saudi-Swiss Financial Dialogue opens in Riyadh
The two sides signed a good will declaration document citing the enhancement of cooperation in a number of areas related to the financial sector, including banking services, financial technology, sustainable finance and insurance
Abu Dhabi
Credit Suisse Investment Bank draws interest from Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia
Credit Suisse had already seen major investors in Qatar Investment Authority and Saudi Arabia’s Olayan Group
acquisition
Damac Group buys Swiss luxury jeweller De Grisogono SA
The purchase is part of the group’s strategy to expand into high-end fashion
acquisition
Swiss banking firm expands into MENASA ‘financial hub’ Dubai as it eyes regional growth
Dubai’s value as a financial centre, a strong client base, and the emirate’s similarity to Switzerland are among the reasons the Geneva-based bank acquired DIFC-based One swiss private wealth
doing business in dubai
World’s largest privately owned perfume and taste firm opens new regional hub at Dubai Science Park
‘Dubai’s concentrated efforts to establish an integrated R&D landscape will further reinforce our emirate as a leading destination for research, innovation and production,’ said Dubai Science Park MD
SMEs
What Geneva can learn from Dubai
Chambers of commerce find themselves in a unique position. On the one hand, they face challenges themselves and, on the other, it is part of their role to accelerate the adoption of digital tools and innovative technologies to enable the transformation of the businesses in their respective networks
Best places for expats to work
Revealed: how the UAE compares globally as expat destination
New HSBC Expat Annual League Table shows the UAE is now the world’s ninth best place to live and work
Europe
Ras Al Khaimah sees tourism boost after European roadshows
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority organises visits to more than 4,000 travel agents in 45 European cities so far this year
Retail
Swiss watch exports to the UAE total $720m
UAE is named the world’s 10th biggest export market by Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry
787 Dreamliner
Etihad says to operate Dreamliner on all Swiss flights
Abu Dhabi airline to make Geneva, Zurich routes an all Boeing 787 affair from March 2018
Dubai South
Dubai South mulls plan to launch eco-friendly transport system
Agreement signed with Swiss firm to investigate innovative hydrogen storage technology