Dear Reader,

Greetings. In the past, we have time and again highlighted the legendary reputation of the Swiss banks, whose practices have been honed to the perfection of an art. The current issue of Indo-Swiss Business takes a look at their skill in managing global assets, amounting to a mind-boggling $ 6 trillion. A study by the Swiss Bankers' Association says nearly a third of the world's private wealth is managed by the Swiss banks. The study covers 200 large banks across the globe and highlights the fascinating features of the Swiss banks in attracting the rich, the super and ultra rich to their imposing gothic portals. The study appears in detail as the issue's cover story. Come January, Davos, the Swiss city, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is all decked up to host the annual World Economic Forum's annual meeting. Global leaders from both governments and businesses, gather to hammer out solutions to world's unending economic ills. This time round, the hot topic was the WTO impasse, which hindered progress at the Doha round of talks. While ministers from various countries agreed to resume WTO talks some time in the near future in Geneva, our Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath firmly reiterated that India would never sacrifice the interests of its farmers. Kamal Nath's Deputy Aswini Kumar declared India's commitment to reduce carbon emissions and took the opportunity to announce that the government would soon come up with a more liberal mining policy to attract foreign direct investment. This and other WEF proceedings form the focus of the current issue. BTS Investment Advisors is a unique, private equity fund raising firm with its focus on the SME sector. We carry an interview with BTS Chairman Alastair Guggenbuhl-Even, and K Srinivas, Managing Partner, on the company's outlook. The Swiss Embassy has recently organized a rail technology seminar in New Delhi in which top officials of the Indian railways participated. Impressed, they sought the Swiss rail safety technology for the Indian railways. We carry a report. The Swiss have surpassed themselves by designing and producing an 85-tool mega Swiss Army Knife, weighing 1.3 kg. We carry a feature on the wonder knife, whose mini version, is a popular, collectors' item the world over. The Swiss film industry is small but quite creative and has won as many as 37 awards at various international festivals in the recent past. We report. Then we have a write-up on a reclusive Swiss writer, Robert Walser, whose works are now being revived and read. We also take you on a breath-taking rope ride to Mount Pilatus. All these and other regular features will keep you glued to the current issue. Wish you a prosperous New Year.
Wish you happy reading

Satya Swaroop
Managing Editor
satya@newmediacomm.biz