SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| [•] | Filed by the Registrant |
| [_] | Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
| Check the Appropriate Box: | |
| [_] | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| [_] | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| [_] | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| [•] | Definitive Additional Materials |
| [_] | Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12 |
THE SWISS HELVETIA FUND, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
NOT APPLICABLE
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the Appropriate Box):
| [•] | No fee required. | |
| [_] | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |
| 1. | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |
| Not Applicable | ||
| 2. | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
| Not Applicable | ||
| 3. | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
| Not Applicable | ||
| 4. | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
| Not Applicable | ||
| 5. | Total fee paid: | |
| Not Applicable | ||
| [_] | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: | |
| Not Applicable | ||
| [_] | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. | |
| 1. Amount previously paid: 2. Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3. Filing Party: 4. Date Filed: |
||
TRANSLATION FROM FRENCH
Form of stockholder letter
HENRI HOTTINGUER
Paris, [Date], 2001
Dear Stockholder:
We are holding a Meeting of Stockholders of the Swiss Helvetia Fund in New York on May 15, 2001.
You have been a loyal stockholder and it is my pleasure to thank you for your loyalty.
You currently hold _____ shares, i.e. approximately __ % of the stock.
I am taking the liberty of drawing your attention to the fact that a German Bank, Bankgesellschaft Berlin AG, is proposing three candidates for election against three re-elections that are being nominated by your board, as well as termination of our term in office.
Below please find the résumés of our three candidates for reelection:
Alexandre de Takacsy
Mr. de Takacsy was Vice-Chairman of the Royal Bank of Canada for 38 years. During that period, he was responsible for the international activities of the bank and was in charge of European operations. More specifically, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Bank of Canada in Switzerland, France, Germany and Belgium. During his active professional career, Alexandre was a member of the Board of Directors of Canadian Railroads, Aluminium Co. of Canada and ALCAN (Europe). He was also Chairman of the France-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Foreign Banks in France. Today, he is the Advisor of our group. Alexandre is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Hungarian State Petroleum Company and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hungarian State Holding Company.
Claude W. Frey
Mr. Frey first became a member of the Swiss Parliament in 1979 and recently became President of the Swiss Parliament. He has represented Switzerland on the Council of Europe and holds many positions in government. Claude has had a long career in the Swiss food industry and worked in several capacities within the Swiss Food Federation, Swiss Chocolate Manufacturers Association and the Swiss Association of the Sugar and Cookie Industry. He is the vice-Chairman of the Swiss Federation of the Association of Employers.
Eric R. Gabus
Mr. Gabus was Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of NESTLE S.A. for about 12 years, vice-Chairman of Crédit Suisse First Boston for four years, and since his retirement, Eric has held several public and private sector positions in the cantons of Vevey, Neuchatel and Geneva. He has been Vice-Chairman of the Fund since 1994.
For your information, please find below a recap of our performance, which we do not feel justifies termination of our term in office.
Performance
2000 1999 1998 1997 over four years
The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc. 14.06% 14.70% 15.89% 55.38% 135.58%
Swiss Performance Index 11.91% 11.69% 15.36% 55.19% 123.77%
Swiss Market Index 7.47% 5.71% 14.28% 58.93% 106.34%
Switzerland iShares (Formerly called
Webs Switzerland) 7.47% 12.52% 12.28% 44.59% 96.32%
Swiss Baer (Julius Baer) 11.70% 2.50% 13.60% 55.94% 102.82%
CS Equity Swiss Blue Chips 11.00% 7.60% 14.30% 59.60% 117.88%
Saraswiss (Banque Sarasin) 9.72% 6.87% 12.75% 53.62% 103.10%
UBS Equity Inv. Switzerland 7.40% 6.40% 12.80% 55.90% 100.96%
Pictet Valsuisse 7.30% 9.36% 11.02% 55.67% 102.88%
Furthermore, we have been singled out and named “Number One Fund” according to Lipper, in the category of European closed-end funds, over a period of ten years, up to the end of 2000. We also received the Lipper Awards in 1998 and 1999.
I would like to have your vote for the reelection of the Fund's Directors, and for continuing our term in office.
Best regards,
/s/ Baron Hottinguer
Baron Hottinguer