News

Published weekly, the articles in this section provide information for SMEs on the following topics:

The latest economic developments
New studies related to SMEs in Switzerland
Useful news for companies

The most recent articles are also posted on the SME Portal homepage.

Listed by date:

A person wearing glasses, a mask, and a protective suit in a factory.

Weak demand is dragging down the industry

(18.09.2024) The industrial sector is struggling to recover from the recession and continues to face uncertain prospects. Raiffeisen Bank's SME PMI index rose slightly from 46.8 points in July to 48.0 in August, but it still remains below the long-term growth threshold of 50.

Small dice featuring suited figures against a blue background

Employment grows but wages decline

(11.09.2024) The labor market has significantly strengthened since COVID. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the number of employed individuals rose by 5% between the fourth quarter of 2018 and the same period in 2023.

A brain representation with a person using an iPad in the background

The employees diversify their skills

(04.09.2024) Swiss employees are starting to adapt to the new demands of the job market. Over three-quarters (79%) of them express a willingness to acquire new skills, especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), according to PwC's 2024 survey on hopes and fears.

Two young people and a man wearing helmets shaping a metal piece

Recruitment difficulties for SMEs

(28.08.2024) The ongoing labor shortage continues to concern businesses. Despite a tighter job market and rising unemployment rates, over half of SMEs (51%) are struggling with recruitment challenges, according to a study released by the insurer Axa.

A woman wearing a helmet and goggles in an industrial hangar

Mixed Economic Outlook

(21.08.2024) The economic situation is stabilizing above average but remained sluggish in July. The KOF Swiss Economic Institute’s barometer at ETH Zurich dropped by 1.7 points to 101.0 (down from 102.7 in June), indicating moderate growth in the months ahead.

A magnifying glass reveals multiple people as figurines

Job offers are becoming scarce in Switzerland

(14.08.2024) The labor market has been showing signs of fatigue since the beginning of 2024. In the second quarter, the number of job vacancies nationwide dropped by 11% year-on-year, according to the Swiss Job Market Index conducted by the Adecco Group and the University of Zurich.

Over 3,000 bankruptcies reported in the first half of 2024

(07.08.2024) The number of insolvency proceedings in Switzerland continues to rise. According to the consulting firm Dun & Bradstreet, 3,006 companies shut down in the first half of 2024. This marks a 7% increase compared to the same period last year.

A pen for writing and an hourglass placed on a calendar

Nearly half of all employees work without fixed hours

(31.07.2024) Working with "flexible" hours is a common practice in Switzerland. In 2023, nearly half (47.7%) of employees benefited from such a schedule, according to the Swiss Labour Force Survey (SLFS) published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Industry slow to embrace AI in processes

(24.07.2024) Swiss manufacturing companies remain cautious about adopting artificial intelligence (AI). A study by ETH Zurich in collaboration with Swissmem, involving 208 companies, reveals that only 28% have developed a specific AI strategy.

Several export trucks parked in front of a warehouse

Economic climate favors exporters

(17.07.2024) Exporting SMEs are feeling optimistic again. The Switzerland Global Enterprise export expectations barometer climbed to 62.8 points in the second half of 2024, an increase of 11.2 points from the previous semester.

Slight economic improvement in 2024

(10.07.2024) The outlook for the Swiss economy is looking up. In June 2024, the Swiss Economic Institute (KOF) at ETH Zurich’s Economic Barometer rose to 102.7 points, marking an increase of 0.5 points from the previous month, and remains above the long-term average.

Switzerland stays in the global top 3 for competitiveness

(03.07.2024) The Swiss economy has moved up one spot in the global competitiveness rankings. Switzerland now holds the second position in the 2024 World Competitiveness Ranking by the IMD Business School in Lausanne, just behind Singapore and ahead of Denmark.

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Swiss Entrepreneurs' Society SSE, construction index, increase in order entries, third quarter 2023

Orders are picking up in construction sector

(27.12.2023) Construction activity has slightly rebounded in the third quarter of 2023. The industry records a slight increase of 1.7% on a yearly basis, thereby reducing the deficit for the first three quarters to -4.6%, according to the Swiss Entrepreneurs' Society (SSE).

A list of numbers and arrows pointing upwards.

Increase in VAT as of January 1, 2024

(20.12.2023) Following the Swiss public's endorsement in September 2022 of the amendment to the Federal Law on Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AVS), the Value Added Tax (VAT) is set to increase starting January 1, 2024.

Federal Office of Customs and Border Security OFDF foreign trade Swiss exports imports pharmaceuticals October 2023

Pharmaceutical sector weighs down Swiss exports and imports

(13.12.2023) Foreign trade experienced a significant decline in October 2023. The decrease in exchanges in the pharmaceutical industry led to a drop of 10.7% in exports and 4.9% in imports, according to the Federal Office of Customs and Border Security (OFDF).

Retail trade calls for regulatory truce

(06.12.2023) Swiss retailers expect a turbulent 2024. Despite a promising 2023, more than a third (36%) of businesses believe that the next fiscal year will end with below-average results, according to the Swiss Retail Federation.

A winter landscape with chalets at the foot of the Matterhorn.

Promising winter for the tourism sector

(22.11.2023) After the trauma of the pandemic, the Swiss tourism sector is continuing its upward trend. While the summer season ended with record numbers, the winter season 2023-2024 is expected to see a growth of +0.4%, according to the forecasts from BAK Economics and SECO.

Create a salary system with the Logib web application

(16.11.2023) As of now, the Confederation is making Logib pay system available: Companies and organisations can use the webtool to develop a simple system for managing functions and salaries based on gender-neutral criteria.

Raiffeisen PMI SME index, inflation, strong franc, import, export, economic conditions, order books, production

Job market on the rise again

(15.11.2023) Strong headwinds are blowing across the Swiss economic landscape. In October, Raiffeisen's PMI SME index dropped by nearly five points to 45.2. The banking institution highlights the industrial recession in the Eurozone and the appreciation of the franc.

Job market picks up

(08.11.2023) In the third quarter of 2023, the Adecco Swiss Job Market index increased by 7% on a yearly basis, driven particularly by the strength of the mechanical, electrical, and metallurgical (MEM) industries sector.

SME Forum supports extending loss compensation deadline

(01.11.2023) Following the pandemic, Parliament is calling for an extension of the loss compensation period for businesses from seven to ten years. This change is necessary because, under current regulations, businesses may find themselves unable to offset some of their losses with future profits.

Several sectors at risk of bankruptcy

(01.11.2023) The cases of insolvency increased by 8% in the first three quarters of 2023, according to the consulting firm Dun & Bradstreet. Between January 1st and September 30th, 2023, 3,845 companies had to file for bankruptcy in Switzerland, compared to 3,552 in the same period in 2022.

Four people conversing in a professional space.

Absences due to mental illnesses are on the rise

(25.10.2023) Workplace absenteeism weighs heavily on the activities of companies. More than one in four SMEs (26%) experienced the negative consequences of absences due to mental health issues in 2022, according to a study on the labor market by the insurance company Axa.

Two men in a discussion point at elements on a computer.

Switzerland remains leader in innovation

(18.10.2023) The Swiss economy has managed to retain its innovation edge. The country retained first place for the thirteenth consecutive year, while Sweden overtook the United States for second position, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 2023 Innovation Index.

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Results 1 - 12 of 108

View of the Quai des Bergues in Geneva, with its hotels and flags.

Swiss hotel industry: highly encouraging upturn in visitor numbers

(22.06.2022) The hotel sector experienced a sharp rebound during the winter of 2021/2022. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the industry recorded 14.6 million overnight stays. This represents a 54% increase in demand in all tourist regions compared with the previous year.

Slight decline in office real estate supply

(28.12.2022) The increase in employment since the end of the health crisis is boosting demand for office space. According to Credit Suisse's "Swiss Office Property Market 2023" study, however, supply is not shrinking as sharply as in previous economic upturns due to the trend for remote working.

Business situation gloomy

(28.12.2022) Swiss companies are facing a mixed year-end outlook. The KOF Business Situation Indicator, based on approximately 4,500 company reports, stood at 20.2 in November, down 7.7 points from October.

A person at the Lindenhof in the old town of Zurich.

Hotels: foreign travelers make a strong comeback

(21.12.2022) The hotel industry posted encouraging results in summer 2022. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), 22.4 million overnight stays were recorded in Swiss accommodations between May and October 2022, an increase of 21.9% compared to summer 2021.

A woman in a supermarket with a long receipt.

Growth forecasts revised downwards for 2023

(21.12.2022) With rising energy prices and sluggish foreign demand, the Swiss economy is experiencing a slight slowdown. According to the latest report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), growth in real terms is expected to reach 0.6% in 2023.

Construction: rising costs put pressure on margins

(14.12.2022) Construction continues to be stable in 2022. According to the Swiss Contractors' Association (SCA), industry sales reached CHF 6.2 billion in the third quarter. However, rising costs for materials and personnel are causing profit margins to fall.

Multinationals omnipresent in Switzerland

(14.12.2022) Almost a quarter of the country's workforce works for a multinational company. In 2021, more than 35,000 companies with a total of nearly 1.5 million jobs and sales of close to CHF 2,000 billion belonged to a multinational group, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Economiesuisse Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade Mutual Recognition Agreement MRA Switzerland United Kingdom simplified conformity assessment procedure approval

New bilateral agreement with the UK

(07.12.2022) A new bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom will be effective as of January 1, 2023. Different product categories will benefit from a simplified conformity assessment procedure.

SwissMEM MEM industries machinery electrical equipment metals third quarter 2022 exports decline in orders

Slowdown in the machinery industry

(07.12.2022) Concern is growing in the mechanical and electrical engineering industries (MEM) sector. According to the Swissmem trade association, orders fell by 12.4% in the third quarter. In comparison with the second quarter of 2022, incoming orders from abroad have declined by as much as 21.1%.

Non-standard employment affects younger generations most

(30.11.2022) Non-standard forms of employment have persisted in the Swiss labor market since 2020. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO, they account for 10% of employees. The rate is slightly higher among 15 to 24-year-olds and in certain elementary occupations.

Various pictograms with a CO2 symbol in the center.

Companies remain relatively inactive in terms of ecological change

(30.11.2022) Various factors are holding back companies from making ecological changes. According to the ERM Report 2022 published by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences (HSLU), 65% of the companies surveyed see costs as a major obstacle to reducing their environmental impact.

Automotive sector anticipates 2023 recovery

(23.11.2022) The automotive sector is expecting a slight improvement in the economy. According to forecasts by the BAK Institute and the Swiss Automobile Association (SAVV), the number of new vehicles on the road in 2023 will increase by 13.6% compared with 2022.

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Switch to the QR-bill Picks Up Speed

(28.12.2021) The latest survey results from gfs.bern concerning the discontinuation of payment slips show: The switch of companies to the QR-bill picks up speed. Already today, around two thirds of all Swiss companies are planning to complete the switch on time.

Replacement of payment slips – majority of companies have recognized the need for action

(28.07.2021) The latest study by gfs.bern on the replacement of the current payment slips shows that the majority of companies recognize the need for action. After 30 September 2022, payments will no longer be possible in Switzerland using the red and orange payment slips. By this date at the latest, all Swiss companies must be able to issue QR-bills.

A person scans a QR code on his smartphone.

Discontinuation of Payment Slips: Switch to QR-bill or eBill Now

(24.02.2021) PostFinance has set the end date for the current red (IS) and orange (ISR) payment slips as 30 September 2022. It is thereby supporting the digitalization of payment transactions and the corresponding follow-up products QR-bill and eBill. The red and orange payment slips will thus be definitively replaced for all Swiss bank customers. Companies are now required to switch if they have not done so already.

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