Switzerland

29.01.2011 | 17:48:30

Conclusion of the talks held by Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf at the WEF Annual Meeting

Bern, 29.01.2011 - A meeting with the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble today concluded the informal talks held by Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Evelyne Widmer-Schlumpf Yesterday afternoon, Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf travelled to the WEF Annual Meeting and held talks with the Finance Minister of France, Christine Lagarde, the Finance Minister of Greece, George Papaconstantinou, the Finance Minister of Sweden, Anders Borg and the US Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner. Today, meetings with ministerial colleagues Jacek Rostowski (Poland), George Osborne (UK), Mehmet ?im?ek (Turkey), James Flaherty (Canada), Pravin Gorhan (South Africa) and Wolfgang Schäuble (Germany) were on the agenda.

The topics of these bilateral discussions were financial policies and strategies for financial market policies, the situation in the euro area and the regulatory efforts to minimise the economic risks posed by big companies. The other issues discussed included cooperation and Switzerland's role in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and, together with dialogue partners from the EU, progress in the exploratory talks on a code of conduct in the field of corporate taxation.

Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf also discussed progress in the current bilateral tax negotiations with Wolfgang Schäuble and George Osborne. The finance ministers indicated their commitment to reach an agreement swiftly in these negotiations.

A meeting also took place today in the presence of the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) Philipp Hildebrand, as well as with Israel's Central Bank Governor Stanley Fisher. In addition, Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf and SNB Chairman Hildebrand will hold talks this evening with the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet.
In Davos, Federal Councillor Widmer-Schlumpf was accompanied by State Secretary Michael Ambühl, Head of the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) in the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), and Secretary General Jörg Gasser.

Federal Department of Finance Internet: http://www.efd.admin.ch

Brigitte Hauser-Süss, Head of FDF Communications

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14.04.2011 | 10:12:27

Better access for goods from developing countries

Berne, 30.03.2011 - On 30 March 2011, the Swiss Federal Council (government) adopted a revised ordinance on origin rules for tariff preferences for developing countries. The revised ordinance will pave the way to an enhanced access to the Swiss market for goods from developing countries.

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Hans-Peter Egler, Head Trade Promotion SECO

28.02.2011 | 16:22:00

HSBC data theft: FINMA completes investigation

Following a comprehensive investigation into the large-scale theft of data from HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA, FINMA has reprimanded the bank for deficiencies in its internal organisation and IT controls. FINMA has also called on the bank to see through the measures it has already initiated to comply with the legal requirements. FINMA will ensure that these measures are implemented promptly.

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FINMA - Tobias Lux, Media Spokesperson,

21.02.2011 | 12:44:40

Forum for Swiss Foreign Trade and Investment.

All businesses wanting to export successfully should take note of an important date: 7 April 2011. On this day, you will be presented with a load of know-how at Osec's Swiss foreign trade forum.

Swiss exporters will explain how they have made it on new markets, and experts from all over the world will give you valuable practical tips en masse. You'll feel the pulse of the Swiss export industry during catchy speeches, exciting panel discussions, in-depth workshops and promising networking breaks. Be part of the action when the Osec Export Awards are presented for the best projects, chosen by a top-class jury. Get up close and personal with the superior export community, and take away as many valuable experiences and contacts from it as you can.