perform around the globe
DESCRIPTION
Annual Report 2009.TRANSCRIPT
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
4 Annual Report 2009 5Annual Report 2009
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 / Page 30
CAPe ToWn, SouTH AFRICA
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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
6 Annual Report 2009 7Annual Report 2009
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.
10 Annual Report 2009 11Annual Report 2009
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
14 Annual Report 2009 15Annual Report 2009
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
Additional consultation days for specific
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
Additional consultation days for specific
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
16 Annual Report 2009 17Annual Report 2009
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
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
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
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
19Annual Report 2009
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
20 Annual Report 2009 21Annual Report 2009
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
22 Annual Report 2009 23Annual Report 2009
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
24 Annual Report 2009 25Annual Report 2009
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
26 Annual Report 2009 27Annual Report 2009
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
osec Lausanne
osec Lugano
28 Annual Report 2009 29Annual Report 2009
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
30 Annual Report 2009 31Annual Report 2009
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.
33Annual Report 2009
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
34 Annual Report 2009 35Annual Report 2009
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
osec
Corso Elvezia 16
Casella postale 5399
CH-6901 Lugano
Telefono +41 91 911 51 35
Fax +41 91 911 51 39
osec
Avenue d’Ouchy 47
Case postale 315
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Téléphone +41 21 613 35 70
Fax +41 21 613 35 02
Copyright © Osec February 2010. All rights reserved.
Hotline: 0844 811 812www.osec.ch