perform around the globe

Mit Geschäftsbericht 2009.osec.ch

Perform around the Globe.With Annual Report 2009.osec.ch

2 Annual Report 2009 3Annual Report 2009

Welcome by Jean-Daniel Gerber.

2009 will go down in history as the year of the financial crisis. But 2009 was also the

year in which key players in commerce and politics had to prove their crisis management

skills. Though the country worked hard in a broad-fronted offensive at federal, cantonal

and local levels to alleviate the effects of the crisis on the Swiss economy, far-sighted

companies were already positioning themselves to benefit from the anticipated upturn

once the crisis had passed. Thanks to its large network of private service providers and

experts, Osec’s response to the changed needs of customers was very swift. It also

sharpened its focus on nearby export markets which in these uncertain times looked

more interesting to Swiss companies. In general, Osec, as a «competence centre pro-

moting foreign trade», played an important part in the federation’s stimulus programme.

By setting up export platforms, the organisation enables small and medium-sized com-

panies to tap new markets.

However, Osec has been active outside the traditional field of export promotion, for

example by increasingly focussing on promoting Switzerland as a business location. The

aim is to tempt new companies to settle in Switzerland thereby generating more jobs and

tax revenues. The employment environment is still demanding. Since last year when the

federation tasked Osec with promoting the country, Osec has struck similar agreements

with the cantons. Constructive interaction between the federation, Osec, the cantons and

private partners is now on track. Synergies are expected to develop between promotion

of the country and promotion of exports.

In 2009, all parties concerned stepped up their efforts to respond to the crisis. At the

same time, however, service provider Osec fulfilled the expectations of commercial and

political circles by continuing to meet the ongoing needs of customers. We are confident

that the services offered by Osec and interactions between all partners will continue to

improve and strengthen even further in 2010.

Jean-Daniel Gerber

Secretary of State and Director of SECOLegal Disclosures

Concept Osec, Zürich

Text Therese Marty, thematext, Zug

English translation Verbalis, Basel

Design effact AG, Zurich

Pictures Keystone, Zürich/Pedro Kok, São Paulo/Patric Spahni, Thun

Print Schellenberg Druck AG, Pfäffikon

Total print run 9,500 copies

Languages German, French, English

Copyright Osec, Zurich

Jean-Daniel Gerber

Director, SECO


Osec – an organisation that never sleeps. It may sound somewhat rash to say so, but this

Annual Report indicates that at any given moment somewhere in the world staff or part-

ners of Osec are committed to making it easier for Swiss and Liechtenstein companies to

access markets abroad; to promoting Switzerland as a business location; to smoothing

the way for foreign companies into the Swiss and European markets.

Dear readers, we invite you to take a journey to a variety of sites and – during a single

fictional working day – to experience with us what Osec does. All around the world – all

around the clock. Your journey round the world begins at Osec’s headquarters in Zurich.

Here, where all the threads of the organisation are gathered together, strategies are set,

programmes created, projects started and customers advised and given ongoing sup-

port – one example being the «Export Step by Step» advisory concept. In Abu Dhabi, the

first eco-city in the world is being created in the middle of the desert. Switzerland will be

there with its own designated district. The Masdar City joint venture is one of the stimulus

measures which the federation and Osec are currently implementing under the umbrella

of export promotion. Moving on now to Beijing where the Swiss Ambassador is opening

the Swiss Awareness Building Seminar. This is a workshop run under the banner of pro-

moting Switzerland at the China Overseas Investment Fair. The next stop is Cape Town.

A South African Fair Trade travel agency has set up shop in Europe with the support of

SIPPO, the import promotion programme.

Tokyo is home to one of the 16 Swiss Business Hubs and site of the regular «Pool of

Experts Get Together» event. This, an information and networking platform to forge links

between private experts, is a hive of activity. Next to São Paulo, where an Osec member

has opened a branch and benefited from an extensive market study and other forms of

support. Finally, back to Switzerland: to Bern where the Federal Customs Administration

is assessing figures which its headquarters in Zurich will use to frame new strategies.

Osec.There for you – all around the world!

SAo PAuLo, BRAZIL05:00 H / 0

CAPe ToWn, SouTH AFRICA

09:00 H / Page 22

ZuRICH, SWITZeRLAnD08:00 H / Page 8

BeRn, SWITZeRLAnD08:00 H / Page 32

ABu DHABI,unITeD ARAB eMIRATeS11:00 H / Page 12

BeIjInG, CHInA15:00 H / Page 18

TokYo, jAPAn16:00 H / Page 26

Start and FiniSh


Confidence about Switzerland as a business location. Confident about the future.

You intend to develop new export platforms. Why?

Daniel Küng: We can’t crank up demand abroad. But we can improve the excellent record

of Swiss exporters. For example, if we know that Switzerland possesses outstanding

technology and products in a particular area that are not known abroad, then we help

these companies. In the field of home-based technology, design, architecture – including

Cleantech and healthcare – we are world leaders. It is just that the world isn’t sufficiently

aware of this. Our task is to assemble all these services, products and companies on the

appropriate export platforms – and give them a recognisable identity.

Why does osec need to do that? Isn’t that the job of the commercial associations?

Daniel Küng: It is often the case that several different associations are involved. And it

is also true that many associations concentrate on representing the interests of their

companies within Switzerland and tend to neglect export issues. But exports are Osec’s

strength. No way do we want to compete with the associations. However, we do want to

offer them some extra export services.

Rolf Jeker: The commercial associations primarily represent the interests of their particu-

lar sectors. They are frequently dealing with the companies’ commercial policies. Where-

as our activities are purely operational and absolutely complementary to the associations.

That makes for a clear division of remits.

What are osec’s greatest challenges?

Rolf Jeker: Firstly, we want to get the export platforms up and running. Secondly, the

state has mandated us to promote Switzerland as a business location. Discussions at

cantonal level have been very constructive so far. Everyone is agreed that we should

improve Switzerland’s standing abroad, creating a unified image for the country. The aim

is to make Switzerland even more competitive. Last but not least, it is essential to focus

even more on integrating support for imports and investment and to show that conflation

of the different mandates was the right decision.

What are greatest drivers operating on Switzerland’s export business?

Daniel Küng: We must succeed in getting the export platforms in full swing. And hope-

fully, the world’s demand for Swiss goods will take off again. Although it will be 2011

or 2012 before we reach the same level as in 2008, I’m optimistic about the year ahead.

I also expect positive reverberations from the Federal Council’s free trade policy.

Rolf Jeker: That’s how I see it, too – because the free trade agreements signed by Swit-

zerland in recent years with a variety of countries give Swiss companies the edge over EU

exporters. We must make greater use of these opportunities.

Interview: Pascal Ihle, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the «Handelszeitung»

In today’s economic arena, there’s talk of both crisis and recession. How does that

apply to Switzerland?

Rolf Jeker: Switzerland has suffered much less than other countries from the ravages of

the world-wide crisis. The reason is that consumption has supported the local economy

in a major way. The downturn in 2009 was limited in the main to exports. This explains

why Switzerland is not in a crisis. But we did lapse into a recession and will come out of

it well because we have not incurred major debts unlike most other countries. This means

that we have more room to manoeuvre ourselves into a good position for the future. On

the competition front, we will even make some gains.

Do you share this opinion?

Daniel Küng: Absolutely. Look at the body blows the crisis has dealt numerous other

economies – in comparison, Switzerland has escaped with just a black eye. The Swiss

state has not indebted itself to any great extent and so we need neither raise taxes nor

cut back on investment.

But here I could accuse you of naivety. 50 % of Switzerland’s economic output is

generated abroad. If the world economy catches a cold, Switzerland will as well.

Daniel Küng: The world economy may be in poor shape – but not all of it. China, India,

Brazil and Indonesia are producing growth rates significantly higher than 6 % – and these

are the countries where our export growth has been strongest in recent years. This is why

I’m so confident.

So once again Switzerland is a special case.

Rolf Jeker: Swiss companies realised in good time – which means three or four years ago

– where the real economic growth will be. We’re reaping the benefits of that now.

Is that an argument in favour of the emerging markets and against the uSA, the

world’s economic driving force?

Rolf Jeker: No. But it is important that Switzerland is increasingly focusing on key export

areas in the emerging markets that it identified four years ago.

Why?

Rolf Jeker: In the medium term, Europe as an economic region will continue to be in poor

shape and the USA will be slow to recover. We need a strong presence in the dynamic

growth regions of the world. This is why a free trade agreement with China would be so

crucial. This would put Switzerland ahead of the field, as did the free trade agreement

with Japan. The whole of Switzerland’s export business has benefited from that, par-

ticularly small firms. And that’s why Osec must keep on asking, «Which countries and

markets show up for the first time on the radar – where must our presence be stronger?» Daniel Küng

CEO, Osec

Rolf M. Jeker

President Board of Directors, Osec

9Annual Report 2009

Zurich, Stampfenbachstrasse 85 – 8 a.m. A hard day’s work begins at the Osec head-

quarters. All the meeting rooms are booked up. Experienced Osec advisers and staff of

the Swiss Business Hubs are holding private meetings with representatives of SMEs keen

to export. These are consultation sessions on fundamentals or strategy discussions.

The first customer reports to reception. Roland F, owner of a nationally successful

medium-sized company, is considering exporting his products. He doesn’t know whether

this makes sense for his company, which country would be suitable and how on earth to

go about it. He recently got to know Osec at the Swiss Foreign Trade Forum and now has

a particular interest in the «Export Step by Step» advisory concept. He’s been told that

under this programme Osec provides customised support for SMEs keen to export as

they seek to enter foreign markets. He‘s also learnt that Osec points existing exporters to

new and promising business opportunities around the world. These services are speci-

fically geared to the degree of internationalisation and individual level of knowledge of

each particular customer.

Today, Roland F is attending his first meeting when he will be briefed free of charge on

issues surrounding his export vision. Further, he and Osec will together examine the

specific export plans. The customer will obtain an individually designed action plan inclu-

ding services from the «Export Step by Step» concept suited to rendering him efficient

support.

This businessman can now think over the individual steps of his export project and,

together with his Osec adviser and the international Osec network, move towards imple-

menting his vision of internationalisation. Throughout the whole project, he will benefit

from the many years of experience of his adviser and from the targeted, efficient use of

suitable analysis resources and networks both at home and abroad. The businessman

is keen to see how his export project will work out in the future. He trusts Osec and is

convinced that his affairs are in good hands.

Facts.Mandates 814

Consultation sessions 2,065

Members of Osec 1,359

«SWISS Pavilions» 48

Visits to www.osec.ch 934,952

Projects with external experts 223

Participants in the Forum of

Swiss Foreign Trade 2009 687

Advisory concept

«Export Step-by-Step»

ZUrich08:00 h

10:14 h08:32 h 11:30 h09:08 h

Export promotion.Advice, information and trade fairs abroad.


8th Forum of Swiss Foreign Trade.

Make new contacts, learn more and share your experience with a wider circle. The Forum

of Swiss Foreign Trade is now established as an excellent networking platform for the

exporting industries of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The two main subjects at the 2009

Forum (almost 700 participants) were «Multinational SMEs: Globalisation as Opportunity»

and «USA, Opportunities and Stumbling Blocks». The 8th Forum is scheduled to take

place on 15 and 16 April 2010 at the Zurich Trade Fair. The main subjects will be «New

economic world – new rules» and the EU as an export market with special focus on

Germany. The highlight of the event will be the networking dinner when the Osec Export

Award will be presented.

Osec Export Award.

The Osec Export Award is a prize recognising achievement and was first awarded by the

official Swiss export promotion body in 2007. The Forum of Swiss Foreign Trade will host

the presentation of the Osec Export Award to two Swiss companies which systematically,

deliberately and consistently focus on their expansion programme.

Consultations on specific countries.

Consultation sessions focusing on particular countries provide opportunities for general

individual advice. But they differ from individual advice sessions in that a local expert on

the country itself is present as well. This brings more voices into the discussion on plans

and issues and enables customers to benefit from even more experience. In 2009, over

1,200 country-specific consultations for 31 different target regions took place in Zurich,

Lausanne and Lugano.

Export online.

Thanks to further upgrading work on the Osec web site and a targeted marketing cam-

paign, visitor numbers have increased significantly (934,952 visitors in 2009). The site’s

comprehensive information service has so far been available to download in German,

English and French – and now also in Italian. The events calendar is now supported by

professional sort and filter functions. A member’s database is also available online. Cus-

tomer contacts can now also be made via various social networking platforms such as

XING, Twitter and Facebook.

Trade fairs and «SWiSS Pavilions».

In 2009, Osec organised «SWISS Pavilions» at 20 leading international trade fairs abroad.

This gave 214 Swiss exhibitors the opportunity of presenting themselves to a broad

section of the industry. In 2010 Osec will deliver its largest and most comprehensive

programme of trade fairs so far. 24 «SWISS Pavilions» will be organised throughout the

year in 13 countries around the world. This will give over 220 customers the opportu-

nity to present themselves to international trade representatives. The largest «SWISS

Pavilion» measuring some 600 square metres will be seen at the ISM confectionery fair in

Cologne – whereas the largest number of exhibitors is expected at Arab Health in Dubai

(24 companies).

The two «SWISS Pavilions» at GLOBE (Vancouver) and at IFAT (Shanghai) will be par-

ticularly important with regard to the stimulus measures in the Cleantech field (see next

page). Ecobuild (London) and Ökoindustria (Budapest) complete the Cleantech picture.

Osec hat grosse Erfahrung und die richtigen

Kontakte. Über die drei Stufen unseres Export

Step-by-Step-Programms führen wir Unter-

nehmen erfolgreich ins Ausland – auch nach

Frankreich. Die ersten beiden Stufen sind

sogar kostenlos. Besuchen Sie unsere Website

und sprechen Sie unverbindlich mit unseren

Experten: www.osec.ch/frankreich

Wer exportieren will, hat viele Fragen. Osec hat die Antworten.

51_F_UZ_208x144_090428.indd 1 30.04.09 15:41

Success stories.Success stories 153

Number of award candidates 50

Osec Export Award finalists 6

Osec Export Award winners 2

SME platform.8th Forum of Swiss Foreign Trade

15 and 16 April 2010

Zurich Trade Fair

www.internationalforum.ch

Trade fairs in 2010.March GLOBE, Vancouver

April IDEM, Singapore

April Cosmoprof, Bologna

April Hannover Fair, Hannover

May IFAT, Schanghai

May PLMA, Amsterdam

May BIO, Atlanta

June Beautyworld Middle East,

Dubai

October BioJapan, Tokyo

October BioTechnica, Hannover

October SIAL, Paris

October IDEM India, Mumbai

October K 2010, Düsseldorf

November Cosmoprof Asia,

Hong Kong

November Big 5, Dubai

15:17 h 15:33 h14:02 h12:38 hZUrich

Finding pathways together and meeting export targets.

13Annual Report 2009

Abu Dhabi, Masdar City building site – 11 a.m. Amid the desert sands, the gaunt outlines

of cranes rear up against a hazy skyline, contrasting sharply with the shells of buildings

in various stages of relentless upward growth. Rust-red steal beams pile up in front of the

wire mesh fences surrounding the solar panels and the concrete foundations on which

they stand. Though today still a gigantic building site in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, by

2018 this place will host the first emissions-free city in the world: Masdar City. Designed

by top British architect Norman Foster, this 6 square kilometre eco-city will be home to

50,000 people. Masdar City – an ambitious pioneering project. And Switzerland is in the

thick of it.

The Swiss Village is scheduled to open in 2012. Swiss companies, institutions and private

individuals will all settle in the heart of Masdar. It is to be a multifunctional quarter with

homes and offices, facilities for research and light production, restaurants, shops and a pri-

vate school. This desert city built to the Minergie building standard will be a watchword for

innovation and design. From the implementation phase onwards, Swiss companies were

demonstrating their innovatory skills and expertise – and enjoying worldwide publicity.

For Swiss Cleantech companies, Masdar City, the ecological high-tech metropolis, repre-

sents a unique opportunity to showcase their talents on an international stage. The spin

offs could be new business fields and orders, with a potential value estimated by some

at several million francs. The Masdar City joint venture is one of the stimulus measures

which the federation and Osec have implemented under the umbrella of export promo-

tion.

Export promotion. Federal stimulus measures.Standing out in booming markets.

abU dhabi 11:00 h

13:57 h11:48 h 14:08 h13:11 h

ZUrich, 08:00 h + 3 h

Masdar City.Jobs 90,000

Companies 1,500

Surface area 6.5 km2

End of construction 2018

Investment volume 23 billion USD


For Osec, a major feature 2009 was the stimulus measures programme aimed at sup-

porting the crisis-rocked Swiss export industry. To implement the stimulus programme,

the federation provided CHF 5 million for each of 2009 and 2010. A range of immediate

measures underpin the stimulus measures proper plus selected services which broaden

Osec’s current role. In connection with the third package of stimulus measures, parlia-

ment has earmarked additional funding to the tune of CHF 25 million to develop export

platforms.

immediate measures.

One of the quick response immediate measures which Osec implemented in 2009 was

expansion of the number of services it was able to offer. This greatly increased the

number of individual consultation sessions and information events. Three areas were

of prime importance here: the classic target markets of the export business in Europe,

the four countries regarded by Switzerland’s foreign trade policy as key markets (Brazil,

Russia, India and China) and Eastern Europe and the countries and regions with which

Switzerland has recently signed or is about to sign free trade agreements. The additional

consultation sessions, events and market studies in relation to these countries are in-

tended to point Swiss SMEs to newly emerging opportunities and to support them in their

search for new sales markets. Other individual measures were carried out, for example for

Russia and Eastern Europe. Osec will drive these activities forward in 2010.

Special projects such as the 2012 European Football Championship in Poland and the

Ukraine and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sotchi have been addressed in a regular news-

letter and in fact-finding missions to the respective regions.

Fit4Export.

The online test «Fit4Export» has proved to be an efficient tool for the initial assessment

of would-be exporters. Using a brief questionnaire, this tool provides a profile of the

candidate company and its export project. A simple and straightforward graphic is

used to evaluate the data and demonstrate the areas in which the company is already

«Fit4Export» and where further work is needed. After that, the candidate company can

delve deeper into issues surrounding its individual export projects in a face-to-face con-

sultation session with Osec. www.osec.ch/fit4export.

international financial institutions (iFi).

The term IFI refers to such international financial institutions as the World Bank, the Inter-

American Development Bank (IDB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Develop-

ment (EBRD) and other development banks. Osec’s IFI service package was intended

to make it easier for Swiss SMEs to respond to invitations to tender from IFIs. This was

achieved firstly through a broadly based initial briefing in seminars and secondly through

Osec organising fact finding missions on the World Bank, the IDB in Washington and on

the EBRD in London. Osec will continue with this service package in 2010. Further brief-

ing events and delegation trips are planned to African (AfDB) and Asian (ADB) develop-

ment banks.

Other initiatives.

The automobile industry is one of the sectors vulnerable to crises. The latest economic

crisis has had a particular effect on its suppliers as well – there are 300 of these in Swit-

zerland, most of them small businesses. This is why the service package includes two

market studies that were presented to a broad public at an event held in early December

at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich. Other sector-specific measures are

planned for 2010, amongst them delegation and contact trips to a variety of countries.

In order to make it easier for Swiss companies to respond to public invitations to tender

in EU countries, Osec has commissioned a study on the EUR 230 billion EU economic

stimulus package. It comprises a list of all the approx. 10,000 infrastructure projects in

selected key countries in the EU and valuable background and contact information.

Osec also supported external projects with the additional export promotion resources

earmarked by federal authorities under the programme of stimulus measures.

A special fund was set up for this purpose. This co-finances export promotion projects of

third parties, focusing on the Swiss export business. Projects supported were those with

short implementation and outcome timelines and added value generation in Switzerland.

In 2009, this initiative saw a total of 38 projects supported to the tune of approx.

CHF 1.5 million. The special fund was much in demand by players in various sectors of

the economy.

15:48 h 16:17 h 16:52 h15:09 h14:31 habU dhabi

Auf nach Osten: Perspektiven und Geschäftschancen in Polen, Tschechien, Slowakei und Ungarn. 4. November 2009, 15.00 – 18.30 Uhr, World Trade Center, Zürich.osec.ch

How fit is your company for the export? Test it on osec.ch/fit4export

implementing successful immediate measures and initiatives.

Output 2009.new markets

Additional consultation days for specific

countries on Germany, Italy, France, Aus-

tria, Great Britain and Spain; additional

events: Austria, Spain, Germany, Great

Britain, Italy, France with more than 130

participants.

Countries with free trade agreements


countries on Egypt, GCC countries,

Japan, South Korea, Latin America and

southern Africa; 3 market studies on

Chile and 3 market studies on Columbia

(not yet finished); 8 additional events on

Japan, Canada, Chile with over

310 participants

eastern europe incl. Russia


countries on Russia, Poland, White Rus-

sia/Belarus, Brazil, India, China, Eastern

Europe and on the Ukraine; 10 addi-

tional events on Brazil, India, China and

Central and Eastern Europe, Hungary,

the Baltic, Europe (licences and franchis-

ing), Eastern Europe (EU support fund-

ing), Romania/Bulgaria, Poland/Czech

Republic/Hungary/Slovakia, the Ukraine,

White Russia/Belarus and Kazakhstan

with approx. 420 participants


The aim is to enable the Swiss export industry to emerge with renewed vigour from the

current economic crisis. The development of export platforms that take the stimulus

measures a step further is an important part of this. Swiss SMEs keen on exporting should

mark the following mantra for success: link, connect, market – the way for platform users

to benefit from synergies to make a bold, concerted assault on the export front. Export

platform development work is in hand in several sectors.

Cleantech.

Although numerous Swiss Cleantech companies are very innovative this sector is

severely fragmented. Under the stimulus measures programme, Osec intends to bring

a greater degree of integration and export orientation into this sector. The aim is signifi-

cantly to step up the profile of and demand for Swiss Cleantech products and services.

On 20 October 2009, in the presence of 125 interested sector representatives in Bern,

federal councillor Doris Leuthard signalled the start of construction work on the platform.

As soon as this is up and running in 2010, a concentrated drive will be made to enter

selected target markets. The first activities in this respect will come in the form of the

Swiss Village in Masdar City (Abu Dhabi) and the environment trade fairs GLOBE 2010 in

Vancouver and IFAT in Shanghai.

Medical technology.

Medical technology covers technical products and appliances used for diagnostics or

implemented to improve quality of life and life expectancy. There are close links between

medical technology and many traditional industries and so the nexus of interdisciplinary

links is very strong. The export figures for Swiss SMEs in the field of medical technology

are significantly lower than those of the few multinational providers in Switzerland. The

point of an export platform is to focus sharply on realising and extending the potential

already present in this sector.

Architecture and design.

In the architecture and design field, Switzerland holds the trump cards in relations

abroad. Swiss architecture and design enjoy an excellent international reputation justifi-

ably grounded in clarity of form, functionality, first-class materials and exacting crafts-

manship coupled with environment awareness and high quality. Swiss design scores

abroad thanks to its precision, long useful life and expertise. One of the particular tasks of

architecture and design is to sharpen the image abroad of Swiss creativity, engineering,

service provision and manufacturing.

Swiss Health.

Osec and the Swiss tourism board have together founded the Swiss Health association

to promote the medical services of Swiss clinics to patients from abroad. Patients often

stay in Switzerland for lengthy periods whilst undergoing treatment and not infrequently

bring their families as well, so it is safe to assume this will also have positive repercus-

sions in the future for tourism and the luxury goods and financial services industries.

18:14 h 18:54 h17:41 h17:12 h

osec.ch

Switzerland lives Cleantech!

Consulate General of Switzerland

World Trade Centre

790-999 Canada Place

Vancouver, BC, V6C 3E1

Tel. +1 604 684 22 31

Fax +1 604 684 28 06

[email protected]

www.eda.admin.ch/vancouver

Switzerland Trade and

Investment Promotion

c/o Consulate General of Switzerland

633 Third Avenue, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10017-6706

Tel. +1 212 599 5700 ext. 1034

Fax +1 212 599 4266

[email protected]

www.locationswitzerland.com

Osec

Stampfenbachstrasse 85

P.O. Box 2407

CH-8021 Zurich

Tel. +41 44 365 51 51

Fax +41 44 365 52 21

[email protected]

www.osec.ch

cleantechSwiss Cleantech Promotion

cleantechSwiss Cleantech Promotion

abU dhabi

Export platforms.Link, connect, market.

Startvorteil.Unsere Expertise, Ihr Vorsprung.

brosch_startvorteil_etbv.qxd:Layout 1 26.2.2010 12:04 Uhr Seite 3


Beijing, China World Hotel – 3 p.m. Blaise Godet, the Swiss Ambassador to China, is

making the inaugural address to the Swiss Awareness Building Seminar. Delegations

from various Swiss cantons and regions are on hand to promote their home bases and

be ready to talk to interested parties. The workshop is being held in connection with the

two-day China Overseas Investment Fair.

The seminar is a great success. Well over 100 people are attending – many of them at

senior executive level – from 52 different Chinese companies. They follow the presenta-

tions of the individual cantonal representatives with concentrated interest and put de-

tailed questions on the advantages of individual Swiss locations and the related criteria.

The time spent with aperitifs at the end is a perfect opportunity to make and maintain

contacts. Business cards are exchanged and the hope is expressed of further opportuni-

ties to continue discussions. Feedback from those attending the seminar is very positive.

The local media have devoted a remarkable amount of space to reporting the Swiss visit.

As well as two dozen articles in print and on the Internet, radio interviews and spots on

the Chinese Business News Channel were broadcast at peak air times. Both the design

and structure of the trade fair stand were singled out for praise, as indeed was the whole

approach of the Swiss delegation.

The Swiss trump cards seem to make their mark. Neusoft Europe AG, a company with

registered share capital valued at CHF 11.6 million, has recently opened up in Switzer-

land. Neusoft was founded in 1991 at the Northeastern University in Shenyang/Liaoning

Province and is now the leading Chinese software company, employing a workforce of

over 15,000 worldwide.

Promotion of Switzerland as a business location.Highlighting the advantages of Switzerland.

beijing15:00 h

17:08 h15:39 h 17:53 h16:42 h

ZUrich, 08:00 h + 7 h

Facts.Media reports 333

Brochures sent out 36,332

Newsletter recipients 8,415

Initial contacts 5,312


Convincing by persuasion.

The Swiss Awareness Building Seminar was one of the very many events organised by

Osec during 2009 under the promotion of Switzerland campaign. Overall there were

around 100 events. That means that somewhere in America, Europe or Asia, Switzerland

was being publicised professionally as a business location on more or less every second

working day of the year. Such promotions included seminars, delegation trips and sym-

posiums, with exhibitions and press conferences, road shows, working breakfasts and

round table events.

And all of this at considerable geographical distances and cultural differences. There is

proof that skilled promotion of a country as a business location pays. This is the fact that

Switzerland has the highest density of multinational companies and international organi-

sations and associations when measured against the country’s population. A variety of

crucial factors accounts for this top position. Major factors in the country’s success are

the political and economic stability, the good infrastructure, the moderate rates of taxa-

tion and the high standard of living. Other important considerations are the respected uni-

versities and research centres and the efficient capital market and the formidable protec-

tion afforded to intellectual property. Also, the cantons themselves, with their outstanding

marketing work, make a valuable contribution to the good level of company migrations.

And by no means least, Osec also plays a decisive part with its skilled, all-round support

and promotion work.

More than ever the success of a company is closely linked to the location of its opera-

tions, whether these are administration, service provision, research and development,

production or sales. Studies show that most companies re-evaluate their locations every

10 years at least and that some do it more often, sometimes even annually. Switzerland

pitches its self-promotion as a business location to meet the challenge posed by its

competitive struggle with the economies of other European countries – with a high level

of success. Switzerland welcomes and proves equal – extremely successfully – to this

challenge, thanks to its political and economic stability, skilled workforce and its incom-

parable quality of life and first-class infrastructure.

Update in print and on the web.

Potential investors have access to a 148-page long comprehensive manual containing

all the important information that a company requires to settle in Switzerland. Its key

data is summarised compactly in the image brochure entitled «Switzerland – Your busi-

ness location in Europe». Both publications have been updated and are available in nine

languages.

The web site was also brought up to date in 2009. In order to guarantee a standardised

online presence anywhere in the world, the pages now have an identical structure. This

means that each of Osec’s target markets has a home page in its own language. Since

there is now a new, standardised domain concept, it is even easier for Internet searches

to locate the pages. Also, targeted search machine marketing increases website traffic.

All of the content of the new «Manual for Investors» is retrievable. An additional asset to

users is a special country-specific area. This is quite a convenience for a Chinese attend-

ee, for example, of the Swiss Awareness Seminar in Beijing mentioned at the beginning.

Back at his work site, he is able to visit the Osec web site and retrieve all the information

on Switzerland as a business location in his own language.

19:11 h 19:47 h18:31 h18:05 hbeijing

Creating awareness.

January 2010 Editioninvest-in-switzerland.com

Handbook for Investors. Business location in Switzerland.

invest-in-switzerland.com

Schweiz.Handels- & Investitionsförderung.

Schweiz.Ihr Wirtschaftsstandort Nr. 1 in Europa.

World Economic Forum, The Global Competitiveness Report 2009 – 2010

RZ_D_Location_Switzerland_ES_100125.indd 1 27.01.10 15:56


Cape Town Bo-Kaap, headquarters of Abang Africa Travel & Trust – 9 a.m. The subject

of today’s executive meeting is the third, and once again successful attendance at the

Tourism Trade Fair TTW (Travel Trade Workshop) in Montreux. «Come with us and travel

with all your heart and soul,» is Abang’s slogan. The men and women representing this

South African travel organiser came all the way to Switzerland to propound this philoso-

phy with charm and conviction. Together with nine other African, all Fair Trade certificated

companies, Abang engineered a spectacular and colourful presence on the South African

trade fair stand which paid due homage to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Abang success story has its roots in the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO)

mandate of Osec implemented on behalf of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

(SECO). This opens the door for export-capable SMEs in developing and transitional

countries into Switzerland and Europe. Interested importers are matched with producers,

which gives them direct access to their products. Key tools in this match-making process

are the exhibition platforms organised under the SIPPO programme at the most important

trade fairs in Europe.

Abang is a South African travel organiser that is strongly committed to fair and respon-

sible tourism. The agency implements its policy via a broad range of both conventional

and unconventional services all of which are designed to ensure that both tourists and

the indigenous population benefit and that the interests of nature and environment are

safeguarded. Attendance at the Travel Trade Workshop was arranged under the SIPPO

programme. This attendance was co-funded by the South African Embassy and sup-

ported by the organisations Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) and the Tourism

Enterprise Partnership (TEP). The collaborative economic development work of SECO

supports new approaches where these can point to the close connection between work,

environmental and general production efficiency and competitiveness in the South African

tourism sector.

Respect for both mankind and the natural world underpin Abang’s services, which have

aroused great interest and made a convincing statement – as was already the case a year

ago. Kuoni, Switzerland’s largest travel organiser, included a Fair Trade package from

Abang in the services of Flex Travel, its Africa specialist and also in the Ananea special

catalogue.

SiPPO and iPSSA.Targeted match-making.

cape town09:00 h

11:29 h09:28 h 11:36 h10:17 h

ZUrich, 08:00 h + 1 h


investment Promotion in Sub-Sahara Africa.

IPSSA (Investment Promotion in Sub-Sahara Africa) is a programme promoting foreign in-

vestments in Ghana and Madagascar which Osec has been commissioned to implement

by SECO. The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Economic Develop-

ment Board of Madagascar (EDBM) are supported in their work of identifying local firms

and business opportunities which hold out interesting options for joint ventures, partici-

pations and sourcing, for example, to foreign companies and investors. A further step is

to contact these as part of an international marketing campaign. Finally, Osec provides

both technical (together with UNIDO and IPSSA) and financial support for the organisa-

tion of briefing and match-making events in the countries themselves. These will take

place in May (Madagascar) and June (Ghana) in 2010. In 2008, Ghana and Madagascar

were selected from a list of six African countries. This was because of their great potential

for foreign investors, comparatively favourable underlying conditions and the quality of

the local investment promotion agencies. What makes these countries such attractive

production and sourcing locations is their good level of integration into their respective

regions plus their relatively easier access to the markets of various industrialised nations

and the major untapped opportunities in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

The IPSSA support programme is implemented in collaboration with local consultants

and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Swiss Embas-

sies are also actively engaged by lending local support to Swiss customers. They receive

and answer enquiries, pass them on to local specialists or coordinate the handling of

them by the business location promotion organisation or local specialists. In Switzerland,

there are interactions with FINANCEcontact, a SECO fund which grants loans for start-up

projects by Swiss companies in developing countries.

For full information on business activities in Ghana and Madagascar, please visit the Osec

web page www.ipssa.ch. From February 2010, this site will also house a database of the

business plans of local entrepreneurs interested in partnerships.

The IPSSA programme will be wound up at the end of 2010.

13:48 h 14:07 h13:15 h12:13 hcape town

Swiss import Promotion Programme.

In 2009, the SIPPO team operated in 15 sectors in 15 countries and worked closely

with external technical experts. Over 200 participants attended 20 trade fairs, various

workshops and selling or buying missions. The growth in exports of the target countries

amounted to over CHF 25 million, 485 new jobs were created and 1,636 offers to trade

were generated.

However, the SIPPO programme was also affected by the global economic crisis. Visitor

numbers at trade fairs, the readiness of importers to buy and their willingness to go on

sourcing trips or attend selling missions saw a marked decline compared with the previ-

ous year. Attendance at some trade fairs was up to 20 % (visitors) and up to 27 % (exhibi-

tors) lower. This was especially true for numbers from threshold and transitional countries.

The companies selected by the SIPPO team and taking part in the measures were largely

able to weather the crisis. A professional approach and the lack of competition benefited

quite a number of SIPPO companies because they represented an attractive alternative

for purchasers to the otherwise absent competitors. This attests the quality of the pro-

ducts and – also a selection criterion – the high level of motivation of entrepreneurs that

do their utmost to prevail in the export market.

Two new key countries, Columbia and the Ukraine, were also successfully tapped. A

variety of procurement and sourcing trips were organised to the latter. The work on buil-

ding up networks in 2009 and the successful search for partner organisations mean that

interactions can be initiated and broadened.

import, invest and generate successes.

import promotion.Offers to trade 1,636

Newly generated jobs 485

Enquiries from importers 139

Trade fairs 20

information platform.

On 24 and 25 March 2010, the 3rd

Swiss-African Business Exchange

will be held at the World Trade Centre

Zurich. Osec will present its investment

promotion programme and introduce

delegations from Ghana and Madagas-

car. Their members – representatives

of investment promotion agencies and

entrepreneurs – will provide full informa-

tion on business activities and oppor-

tunities in Ghana and Madagascar and

will be available for face-to-face talks.

November 2009

SIPPO

Phone +41 44 365 53 91, [email protected]

Baobab, the bestseller from South Africa. Afriplex to produce baobab fruit drinks for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

www.sippo.ch

«Through the multi-country stands at trade fairs, SIPPO promoted a cross-pollination useful for our business.Mr Billy Smith, Afriplex Marketing Manager

Mr Billy Smith, Afriplex Marketing Manager

«SIPPO introduced us to customers and clients which Afriplex through its normal course of busi-ness would not be exposed to.»

SIPPO’s active support in quality management, marketing and trade show participa-

tion has helped Afriplex boost sales by 40 % in the last three years.

Founded in 2001, the South African company specialises in the production of plant extracts

for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Afriplex first participated in the SIPPO

pavilion at the Health Ingredients trade show in 2006. Since then sales of their products have

increased substantially. Considerable improvements have also been made in the area of qual-

ity standards and product documentation. Through their participation in international trade

shows, the company has successfully established numerous business contacts with major

European companies and won new customers, as well as gained valuable practical experi-

ence as an exhibitor. In addition, the export volume of baobab has risen significantly. Baobab

is used in the production of fruit powders and fruit concentrates and has a very high vitamin

C content. Afriplex produces amongst others, a fruit drink from the baobab fruit concentrate

for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Afriplex acknowledges that their participation in the

SIPPO programme has led to baobab becoming the company’s most successful product. In

turn this has allowed the creation of 22 additional jobs.

With the Business Linkage Challenge Fund (BLCF), Afriplex is fulfilling its responsibility to-

wards society. The BLCF was launched in 2003 with the goal of conserving indigenous plant

species and supporting local communities and farmers. Beyond that, Afriplex has played a

leading role in the implementation of biodiversity standards in southern Africa and is a pio-

neer in this field.

E_SIPPO_Afriplex_091106.indd 1 17.12.09 14:39


tokYo16:00 h

Zürich, 08:00 h + 8 h

18:12 h16:32 h 19:30 h17:05 h

Networks. Maintaining contacts and networking with specialists.

Tokyo, Swiss Embassy, 4 p.m. – Ambassador Paul Fivat extends an invitation to the tradi-

tional «Pool of Experts Get Together» event to be held in his residence. The final prepara-

tions are being laid and then, two hours later, a satisfyingly large number of current and

potential «pool of experts» members are avidly following the various talks. One of these

is by Takahiro Nakagawa on the subject of his experiences as the Osec consultant for the

Swiss Business Hub in Japan. Markus Wyss, Head of Global Markets, gives a briefing on

current topics at Osec, illustrates the activities of the Swiss Business Hubs and highlights

opportunities for the experts of the pool of experts in the Osec network. Once again,

the pool of experts meeting offers over 60 participants a welcome arena for exchanging

experience and maintaining global networking links.

The Lausanne and Lugano branch offices.

Osec’s successes depend on its close association and identification with Switzerland.

For example in 2009, the Lausanne and Lugano branch offices implemented numerous

measures many of which were undertaken jointly with domestic networking partners

(Chambers of Trade and Industry). As well as routine measures, some additional activities

were carried out as part of the stimulus programme.

Overall, the Lausanne branch office made over 320 qualified initial contacts, conducted

18 country-specific consultation days and took part in 6 export dialogues which were run

by the cantonal Chambers of Trade and Industry. For 2010, Osec regards greater involve-

ment of Western Switzerland to be a priority target.

The Lugano branch office also stepped up its presence and scored some successes.

The team generated more than 150 qualified initial contacts, 12 country-specific consul-

tation days and conducted 10 events with partners. The team’s work was regularly re-

ported in the public press. Also, Monica Zurfluh, the new manager of the Lugano branch

office, held office as a member of a commission for trade fair participations set up by the

Canton of Tessin.

Le Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA mène des travaux de

recherche à Belo Horizonte au profit de l’agriculture locale. Avec l’appui de l’Osec.

«Comme nous évoluons dans un milieu technologique international, l’étranger prend une

part croissante dans nos activités», explique Thomas Hinderling, CEO du CSEM, dont le

siège est à Neuchâtel. Le CSEM fait le lien entre la recherche fondamentale universitaire

et l’industrie pour le développement de produits, et ce de plus en plus avec l’étranger. En

2005, le CSEM a fait beaucoup parler de lui grâce à un projet d’îles solaires flottantes aux

Emirats arabes unis. Il y a deux ans, le CSEM a conclu un partenariat avec le gouverne-

ment de l’Etat du Minas Gerais au Brésil dans le but d’ouvrir un centre à Belo Horizonte.

«Nous employons huit personnes qui ont déjà pu mener à bien plusieurs grands projets,

principalement dans l’agriculture», précise T. Hinderling. Il s’agit notamment d’installations

de surveillance électronique pour le dosage des engrais, un projet positif pour l’environne-

ment. Le centre mènera aussi à bien des mandats de recherche en biotechnologie.

L’avancée du CSEM au Brésil tient également à l’appui que lui fournit l’Osec, ou plutôt

le Swiss Business Hub de São Paulo, qui a été, à une époque, assez actif dans les nano-

technologies. «L’un des collaborateurs brésiliens du hub nous a apporté un soutien extra-

ordinaire: il nous a ouvert de nombreuses portes et nous a mis en relation avec plusieurs

entreprises industrielles», se réjouit Thomas Hinderling. On a même été si emballé par ses

services qu’on l’a engagé au cours de l’été 2007! D’ici 2011, le centre brésilien devrait

employer 40 personnes. Mais le CSEM a d’autres projets en vue, notamment en Pologne

où il compte bien s’installer avec l’aide de l’Osec.

Décembre 2008

Osec

Téléphone 0844 811 812, [email protected]

Le CSEM cherche et trouve au Brésil.Ce centre privé de recherche-développement reçoit l’appui de l’Osec sur place.

www.osec.ch

«La bureaucratie est envahissante au Brésil. Il faut faire preuve d’obstination pour aller de l’avant.»Thomas Hinderling, CEO, CSEM

Thomas Hinderling, CEO, CSEM

«Le partenaire brésilien de l’Osec connaît très bien les réalités locales. Son aide nous a permis de nous implanter en un temps record.»

Osec.osec Zurich

[email protected]

osec Lausanne

[email protected]

osec Lugano

[email protected]


Domestic network.

Within Switzerland, the Osec network consists of cantonal Chambers of Trade and Indus-

try and the Baselland and Liechtenstein Economic Chambers. To an extent, cooperation

agreements or project-related interactions with sector associations serve to enhance this

network.

The aim of the network is a common approach to the market. This is achieved specifically

by distribution of the electronic newsletter «Business Network Switzerland», by jointly

publicising and holding export-relevant events and by holding consultancy discussions

on fundamentals at the Chambers of Trade and Industry. For example, the Trade Cham-

bers and Osec co-organised 17 export dialogues. These information events took place all

over Switzerland and treated different topics and countries. Average attendance grew to

approx. 25 participants per event as against 15 in the previous year.

Foreign network.

In 2009, too, the Swiss Business Hubs (SBHs) played an important part in Osec’s export

promotion activities abroad. A total of 16 hubs are located in the following countries or

regions: the USA, Brazil, Spain, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Poland,

Russia, the Gulf States, South Africa, India, ASEAN, China and Japan.

Interactions with the Osec consultancy team in Zurich were stepped up still further and

the SBH banner was adapted even more to the strategy for the platform. All the hubs

made substantial contributions to supporting Swiss companies, but not only that – they

also worked hard at developing the «pool of experts» platform. Since early in 2008,

14 hubs have a direct link via the CRM system with Osec headquarters in Zurich. With

the new system launched, it soon became clear what level of efficiency gains in market

processing, in customer support and in reporting could be achieved through the joint use

of the IT platform.

Also in 2009, SBH staff attended a specially designed refresher or basic course. These

sets of training sessions refocused attention on the «Export Step by Step» advisory

methodology and implementation of the platform strategy – in addition to the CRM train-

ing already mentioned.

A change took place in the South African Swiss Business Hub. This has been led by Max

Bertschmann since 1 November 2009.

Pool of Experts.

Expansion abroad brought companies up against an extremely wide range of challenges.

Specific technical knowledge and a good deal of experience are indispensable for making

the right decisions and avoiding pitfalls. The members of the Pool of Experts are proven

specialists with specific, skilled technical knowledge in a broad range of fields associated

with internationalisation. The web site categorises the experts in terms of countries, mar-

kets and roles, enabling rapid and accurate access to information. A profile with contact

details, professional careers and references makes the choice of the right expert an easy

matter.

Partners and Sponsors.

The Partners and Sponsors department, in operation since 2008, met its target in 2009.

Relations with partners in the private business sector were strengthened. The volume of

disposable financial resources was increased by comparison with 2007, despite the cur-

rent economic climate. Other goals are to generate complementary communication and

distribution channels and recruit partners with interesting expertise.

07:05 h 07:32 h23:45 h20:30 htokYo

Creating access.

Addresses.For all the addresses of the Swiss Busi-

ness Hubs and the Swiss Chambers of

Foreign Trade, regional directors and

authorities for the promotion of Switzer-

land as a business location, please visit

the home page www.osec.ch.

The staff of the service department will

be glad to give further information – call

0844 811 812.

Facts.Members of the Pool of Experts 485

Countries of origin of members 49

Number of visits to

www.poolofexperts.ch 248,400


São Paulo, Brazil – 5 a.m. São Paulo, the largest industrial conurbation in Latin America,

holds its breath for a few moments until the frenzy and din and the city’s business activi-

ties once more take centre stage in this pulsing economic metropolis. Not long ago, the

Baumer Group, an international corporation headquartered in Frauenfeld, opened its

youngest branch here. Baumer produces sensors for applications in factory and process

automation.

«With its enormous home market potential and links with Mercosur countries, Brazil is

the ideal springboard for our high-level entry into the South American market,» says Ernst

Werthmüller, international sales director in the Baumer Group. He adds, «We prepared

for this by running a market study on customers, competitors and import regulations and

taking on board personal experience and contacts gained from previous activities in this

market. In this, we were supported by an experienced law firm.» The omens are good for

successful business here. «Because of the relative stability of the market, we are confi-

dent of being able to deal successfully in Brazil.»

Because it is a member, the Baumer Group has been able to rely on the support of Osec

or rather its business hub in São Paulo. A private consultant commissioned by Osec

conducted over 50 interviews with sector specialists for the market study to gather as

much detailed information as possible for conversion into a business case. Whilst this

was going on, the Baumer Group was busy searching for sites, founding the company

and developing the branch. The Group was supported in this by a local lawyer provided

by Osec.

Members are better informed.

Osec members are better informed and adopt a more targeted approach to foreign busi-

ness. Like the Baumer Group, all members benefit from the straightforward and efficient

support provided by Osec and the network it coordinates. Member advantages include

Osec services at seriously reduced prices, exclusive networking opportunities amongst

members and the regular provision of practical information.

For over 80 years, Osec’s members have constituted its power base. The strategic im-

portance of this strong base has encouraged Osec to align its products even closer with

members’ needs.

Be part of Osec.

As well as ensuring members’ success

by keeping them crucially ahead of the

field in terms of knowledge, Osec mem-

bership brings attractive privileges and

other valuable advantages.

For further information visit:

www.osec.ch/members

Sao paUlo05:00 h

10:25 h05:14 h 11:12 h08:03 h

ZUrich, 08:00 h - 3 h

Membership.Offering calculable advantages and privileges.


0

50,000

200,000

250,000

150,000

100,00019

91

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

199

9

2000

20

01

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Bern, Federal Customs Administration – 8 a.m. In one of the administration’s offices a

laser printer is spewing out the latest foreign trade figures. In an adjacent room, one of

the staff of 14 is studying import statistics sorted under sectors and countries. A strategy

meeting is being held in the conference room.

Facts and figures play a key role at Monbijoustrasse 40 in Bern, headquarters of the

competence centre for customs issues. This is where all the data relating to the Swiss

economy is recorded and processed. The analyses lead to the definition of new tasks, the

initiation of measures and the drafting of strategies. The purpose of this is to give Swiss

companies access to new markets. In Osec’s headquarters in Zurich, current evaluations

are integrated into programmes and projects aimed at cranking up the economy.

Swiss Foreign Trade 2009:shaken by the crisis.Last year, Swiss foreign trade was hit badly by the global economic and financial crisis.

Compared with the previous year, exports fell in value terms by 12.6 % to CHF 180.3 billion.

Imports fared even worse. They fell by 14.3 % to CHF 160.1 billion. But the bottom line,

even in crisis-ridden 2009, showed a positive balance, a respectable CHF 20.2 billion –

more than ever before.

Swiss foreign trade since 1991 in million CHF

Delivering figures, data and analyses.

bern08:00 h

10:16 h09:02 h 11:13h09:38 h

ZUrich, 08:00 h

Facts.First quarter figures: exports 11.9 %,

imports 10.6 %.

From April to June, exports fell by

19.3 % and imports by 21.1 %.

In the third quarter, exports fell by

14.3 % and imports by 16.9 %.

In the last quarter of the year, exports

fell by only 4.1 % and imports by 8.0 %.

Imports

Exports


15:08 h 15:32 h14:17 h12:42 hbern

Swiss foreign trade 2009.

Imports by sectors 2009 Change in million CHF in comparison to previous year Chemical industry 34,935 – 8.72

Machines, apparatus, electronics 29,359 – 17.56

Precision instruments, clocks/watches & jewellery 15,301 1.07

Vehicles 15,051 – 10.14

Metal industry 12,319 – 31.90

Energy sources 11,923 – 31.74

Food and luxury foodstuffs 9,807 – 4.96

Textiles, clothing, shoes 9,037 – 9.99

Leather, rubber, plastics 5,810 – 12.17

Soft furnishings, toys, etc. 5,235 – 10.69

Paper, stationery and graphic products 4,949 – 12.35

Agricultural products without food and luxury foodstuffs 3,496 – 9.89

Stones and earth 2,901 – 9.15

europe 153,795 130,476 – 15.16

Germany 64,775 53,828 – 16.90

Ukraine* 91 57 – 37.17

Serbia* 59 49 – 16.02

Bosnia-Herzegovina* 25 25 – 2.81

Macedonia* 30 21 – 29.67

Albania* 2,3 1,6 – 30.51

Kosovo* 1,2 1,1 – 8.39

Montenegro* 0,3 0,4 38.97

Africa 4,189 1,746 – 58.31

South Africa* 216 178 – 17.88

Egypt* 28 109 288.76

Ghana* 77 82 6.08

Asia 15,997 16,923 5.78

China 4,980 5,099 2.39

Vietnam* 347 2,141 517.99

Indonesia* 194 171 – 11.99

Jordan* 6,8 5,7 – 15.47

America 12,574 10,606 – 15.65

USA 9,446 8,119 – 14.05

Columbia* 93 102 10.33

Peru* 55 40 – 26.62

oceania 329 373 13.43

Australia 221 278 25.79

Total 186,884 160,123 – 14.32

Imports by countries 2008 2009 Change* Focus countries SIPPO programme in million CHF in million CHF in comparison to previous year

Total 160,123 – 14.32

exports by sectors 2009 Change in million CHF in comparison to previous year Chemical industry 71,665 – 0.35

Machines, apparatus, electronics 33,762 – 22.93

Precision instruments, clocks/watches & jewellery 32,409 – 14.69

Metal industry 10,488 – 31.35

Food and luxury foodstuffs 7,088 – 0.19

Energy sources 5,357 – 12.10

Vehicles 5,123 – 21.35

Leather, rubber, plastics 4,168 – 19.83

Textiles, clothing, shoes 3,688 – 17.46

Paper, stationery and graphic products 2,938 – 18.39

Soft furnishings, toys, etc. 1,560 – 20.23

Agricultural products without food and luxury foodstuffs 1,175 – 13.17

Stones and earth 866 – 18.00

europe 135,952 114,786 – 15.57

Germany 41,806 35,104 – 16.03

Italy 18,233 15,460 – 15.21

France 17,728 15,189 – 14.32

Great Britain 9,695 8,524 – 12.08

Spain 7,332 6,504 – 11.30

Austria 5,966 5,436 – 8.89

Russia 3,156 2,114 – 33.01

Poland 2,444 1,815 – 25.72

Africa 3,479 3,588 3.15

South Africa 773 669 – 13.44

Asia 36,637 34,411 – 6.08

Japan 6,288 6,819 8.43

China 5,529 5,407 – 2.20

Hong Kong 4,560 3,759 – 17.55

India 2,337 2,144 – 8.26

Arab Emirates 2,691 2,114 – 21.45

Singapore 2,205 2,057 – 6.71

Saudi Arabia 1,646 1,623 – 1.42

America 27,911 25,357 – 9.15

USA 19,467 17,652 – 9.32

Brazil 2,407 1,993 – 17.18

ozeania 2,350 2,145 – 8.73

Australia 2,104 1,942 – 7.73

Total 206,330 180,287 – 12.62

exports by countries 2008 2009 Change in million CHF in million CHF in comparison to previous year

Total 180,287 – 12.62

osec

Stampfenbachstrasse 85

Postfach 2407

CH-8021 Zürich

Telefon +41 44 365 51 51

Fax +41 44 365 52 21

[email protected]

osec

Corso Elvezia 16

Casella postale 5399

CH-6901 Lugano

Telefono +41 91 911 51 35

Fax +41 91 911 51 39

[email protected]

osec

Avenue d’Ouchy 47

Case postale 315

CH-1001 Lausanne

Téléphone +41 21 613 35 70

Fax +41 21 613 35 02

[email protected]

Copyright © Osec February 2010. All rights reserved.

Hotline: 0844 811 812www.osec.ch

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