immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Gesetz

  • Government council rejects airport night-time quiet initiative

    Government council rejects airport night-time quiet initiative

    The popular initiative “Airport night-time quiet initiative” calls for a statutory night-time quiet period from 11.00 pm to 6.00 am at Zurich Airport. The Government Council rejects the initiative as it contravenes federal law and creates legal uncertainty. Legislation on aviation is the sole responsibility of the federal government, which has already conclusively regulated night flight regulations.

    A literal implementation of the initiative would raise unrealisable expectations without noticeably reducing the actual noise pollution. The cantonal government emphasises that existing regulations already exhaust the maximum scope of cantonal law.

    Focus on reducing aircraft movements after 11.00 p.m.
    Despite rejecting the initiative, the cantonal government supports measures to promote a peaceful night’s sleep. For example, operational improvements and an optimised airport infrastructure should help to reduce flight movements after 11.00 p.m. The runway extensions approved by the Zurich electorate in 2024 are a key step towards increasing the punctuality and efficiency of the airport.

    In addition, technological advances will further reduce noise pollution. New, quieter aircraft should improve protection for local residents in the long term.

    Securing the business location and international connections
    Zurich Airport is indispensable for the economic strength of the canton. As Switzerland’s only intercontinental hub, it provides daily direct connections to major international cities, which are essential for businesses and the population alike.

    The airport’s competitiveness depends on its operating hours. These have already been reduced by two hours over the last 20 years. Carmen Walker Späh, Director of Economic Affairs, emphasises that the existing regulation represents a balanced compromise between noise protection and the requirements of businesses and travellers.

    With this approach, the cantonal government aims to safeguard the quality of life of local residents and strengthen the economic future of the canton.

  • Zug uses OECD minimum tax for location promotion

    Zug uses OECD minimum tax for location promotion

    In response to the imminent introduction of a global minimum tax for large international companies from 2024, which could potentially affect the canton’s competitiveness, the canton of Zug has developed plans to compensate for any locational disadvantages. The planned measures include the complete reinvestment of the expected additional revenue of around CHF 200 million per year in three priority areas: social infrastructure, innovative projects and sustainable development initiatives.

    Focus on social and innovative projects
    The planned social measures are aimed at making life more attractive for the population and the local economy. These include investments in needs-based childcare provision, higher contributions to public schools and measures to improve the living and working environment. In the area of infrastructure and innovation, the focus is on future-oriented projects. Initiatives such as the “Blockchain Zug Joint Research Initiative” and the “ETH Learning Factory Zug” are intended to increase competitiveness and quality of life in the canton by promoting sustainable energy supply and storage.

    Legal framework and financial planning
    In order to achieve these goals, the cantonal government is proposing a new “Location Development Act” that will introduce an efficient and flexible system of subsidies for sustainability and innovation. From 2026, CHF 150 million per year is earmarked for subsidies, with the maximum subsidy amount being approved annually by the Cantonal Council from 2029. This approach is intended to provide companies in the canton of Zug with planning and legal certainty.

    Finance Director Heinz Tännler emphasises that the planned measures are essential in order to maintain Zug as a preferred residential and business location. The public consultation on the new law will run until 15 September 2024 and the law is due to come into force on 1 January 2026. These strategic decisions demonstrate Zug’s commitment to maintaining its leading position despite global tax changes and remaining an attractive location for companies and skilled labour.

  • Canton of Zurich to get new law on location promotion

    Canton of Zurich to get new law on location promotion

    The Government Council of the Canton of Zurich wants to strengthen the competitiveness of the business and innovation location with a new Location Promotion and Business Relief Act. The essential goals and principles of location promotion are anchored in the law. In addition, an already existing regulation for the administrative relief of companies will be integrated.

    The corresponding bill was drafted by the Department of Economic Affairs and passed by the cantonal government at its meeting in May for the attention of the cantonal council, the cantonal state chancellery informs in a statement. “Our goal is to further develop the Canton of Zurich as an economically, ecologically and socially sustainable location for business, research and innovation with a variety of attractive jobs,” Director of Economic Affairs Carmen Walker Späh is quoted as saying. The new law should make it possible to take measures adapted to economic developments.

    In future, the consequences of regulations are to be examined both for companies and for the business location as a whole. Responsibility for the regulatory impact assessment is transferred to the Directorate of Economic Affairs.

    The new law also contains a provision that enables the canton to quickly participate in federal programmes to support the economy. “With the new law, we will be able to decide as quickly as possible on financial aid to companies in the event of a possible future crisis with the participation of parliament,” Walker Späh explains.