The head of the Federal Department of the Economy met with Swiss foreign trade players on Tuesday to decide on the steps necessary for a rapid resumption of exports in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
Guy Parmelin and the participants in the round table had a “fruitful” exchange on the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis, said the Federal Department of the Economy.
KEYSTONE
Guy Parmelin invited representatives of the export industry to a roundtable on Tuesday. The discussions were dominated by the challenges ahead and the steps necessary for a rapid recovery in exports.
The participants had a “fruitful” exchange on the consequences of the coronavirus crisis for the Swiss export industry, said the Federal Department of the Economy (DEFR) in a press release. Together they identified the steps for a rapid recovery in exports.
During the meeting, the Swiss Union of Arts and Crafts (USAM) defended an “uncompromising” respect for the expenditure brake. The increase in debt observed abroad is not a model for Switzerland, underlines the organization in a press release, demanding a reduction “as quickly as possible” of debts linked to Covid-19.
The umbrella organization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also welcomed the decision of the Federal Council to draft a concrete bill aimed at reducing administrative burdens and introducing a regulatory brake.
Historical decline
In the second quarter, Swiss foreign trade suffered a historic decline: “all exporting sectors without exception” recorded a loss. Despite some improvements and a slight upward trend in June, Swiss exporters remain facing a difficult and uncertain future, recalls the DEFR.
The round table brought together representatives of 19 economic associations and chambers of commerce, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and “Switzerland Global Enterprise” (S-GE), the State Secretariat for Training, to research and innovation (SERI) and its swissnex network, Présence Suisse (DFAE) as well as Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV).
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