Switzerland
Chambre de Commerce - Fiche d'information pays Dernière mise à jour: 10.01.2020
Introduction
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.
Source: The CIA World Factbook - Switzerland
Indicateurs macroéconomiques
Growth is projected to become more broad-based during the projection period as the weak domestic economy gradually accelerates. The worldwide recovery will continue to support exports. Inflation will remain subdued and is projected to exceed 1% only at the end of 2019. The large current account surplus will persist.
Monetary policy remains accommodative. With rising consumer price inflation, currently negative policy rates are projected to start to be raised in 2019. The fiscal surplus will gradually decrease as exceptional revenues unwind. Pension reform is becoming increasingly urgent to ensure the system’s financial sustainability. Increasing childcare affordability and availability would remove some constraints on women's full participation in the economy.
Source: OECD - Economic Forecast
IMF Statistics:
| Subject descriptor | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product, constant prices Percent change | 1.893 | 0.816 | 0.985 | 1.328 | 1.500 |
| Gross domestic product, current prices U.S. dollars (Billions) | 701.223 | 664.005 | 662.483 | 684.386 | 702.235 |
| Gross domestic product per capita, current prices U.S. dollars (Units) | 86,145.334 | 80,602.693 | 79,577.564 | 81,314.131 | 82,527.019 |
| Inflation, average consumer prices Percent change | -0.012 | -1.140 | -0.378 | 0.016 | 0.471 |
| Volume of imports of goods and services Percent change | -8.136 | 2.456 | 5.940 | 4.333 | 3.413 |
| Volume of exports of goods and services Percent change | -6.906 | 3.233 | 5.333 | 3.879 | 3.100 |
| Unemployment rate Percent of total labor force | 3.044 | 3.178 | 3.461 | 3.389 | 3.319 |
| Current account balance U.S. dollars (Billions) | 61.904 | 75.822 | 61.199 | 61.290 | 62.791 |
| Current account balance Percent of GDP | 8.828 | 11.419 | 9.238 | 8.955 | 8.942 |
Source: IMF Statistics
Le Luxembourg et le pays
Existing conventions and agreements
Non double taxation agreement
In order to promote international economic and financial relations in the interest of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Luxembourg government negotiates bilateral agreements for the avoidance of double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on fortune with third countries.
- Convention from 21.01.1993 (Memorial 1993, A No.101, p.2125)
- Effective as of 01.01.1994 (Memorial 1993, A No.101, p.2125)
- Protocol of Amendment from 25.08.2009 (Memorial 2010, A No.51, p.830)
- Effective as of 01.01.2011 (Memorial 2010, A No.51, p.830)
- Protocol of Amendment from 11.07.2012 (Memorial 2013, A No.114, p.1696 )
- Effective as of 01.01.2011 (Memorial 2013, A No.114, p.1696)
Air Services agreement
- Agreement from 09.04.1951 (Memorial 1952, p. 1011)
- Effective as of 02.27.1953 (Memorial 1953, p. 263)
Source: Administration des contributions directes
Plus d'informations
Foreign Trade
The Statec Foreign Trade statistics provide information on the trade of goods - by product and by country. This information is collected respectively through the INTRASTAT declaration and on the basis of customs documents.
You can see the statistics on the website of the Statec.
Contact points in Switzerland
Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Switzerland
S.E.M. Jean-Claude MEYER, Ambassadeur
M. Jan DOLEZEL, Attaché
45, Kramgasse B.P.619
CH-3000 BERNE 8
Tel.: (+41) 31 311 47 32/ 31 311 68 76
Fax: (+41) 31 311 00 19
Emails: berne.amb(at)mae.etat.lu
Site Web: http://berne.mae.lu/
Consulate General
Consul General with jurisdiction over the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais:
Mr Pierre-Louis LORENZ
13, Chemin de la Rochette
CH-1202 Genève
Tél: +41 22 91 91 929
Fax: +41 22 91 91 920
Email : geneve.rp(at)mae.etat.lu
Honorary consuls
Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the cantons of Basel, Baselland and Solothurn:
Mr Michael PFEIFER
Aeschenvorstadt 4
BP 1564
CH-4010 Basel
Tel: +41 61 279 33 00
Fax: +41 61 279 33 10
Email: mpfeifer(at)vischer.com
Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the cantons of Zurich, Glarus, Zoug, Schaffhausen, Appenzell, St.Gallen, Grisons, Aargau, Thurgau :
Mr Kaspar WENGER
Seehofstrasse 6
CH-8008 Zürich
Tel: +41 (0) 44 269 60 55
Fax: +41 (0) 44 269 60 65
Email: margrit.berchtold(at)chemolio.ch
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Luxembourg
Economic and Commercial Attaché (FIT)
Mr Michel PATTEET
Konsulat von Belgien
Wirtschaftsvertretung Flanderns
Gartenstrasse 36
CH - 8002 Zürich
Schweiz
Tel.:+41 44 280 34 35
E-mail: zurich(at)fitagency.com
Source: FIT
Country risk as defined by Office du Ducroire for Switzerland
Ducroire is the only credit insurer covering open account deals in over 200 countries. A rating on a scale from 1 to 7 shows the intensity of the political risk. Category 1 comprises countries with the lowest political risk and category 7 countries with the highest. Macroeconomics experts also assess the repayment climate for all buyers in a country.
Link: Ducroire Office - Country Risk for Switzerland
Other Useful Links:
- The CIA World Factbook - Switzerland
- Das ist die Schweiz
- La Suisse sur le site de Flanders Investment & Trade
- Doing Business in Switzerland
- Investing in Switzerland
La Chambre de Commerce et le pays
Evénements passés
- 25.03.2019
Journée d'Opportunités d'Affaires : Suisse (Zurich)
- 20.06.2018 - 22.06.2018
Wirtschaftsmission in die Schweiz vom 20. – 22. Juni 2018
- 08.06.2018
Journée d'Opportunités d'Affaires : Suisse (Zurich)
- 12.05.2017
Journée d'Opportunités d'Affaires : Autriche, Suisse
- 16.11.2016 - 17.11.2016
Visite accompagnée aux salons Swisstech/Prodex