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.
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11 September 2026
Consumer sentiment higher than a year ago
In August 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –33 points. This is 7 points higher than in August 2025. The following sub-indices are higher than in August 2025: economic outlook and past financial situation. The following sub-indices are lower than a year ago: financial outlook and moment to make major purchases.
9 September 2026
Federal Council joins EU sanctions against trade in gold from Sudan
The Federal Council has banned the purchase and import of gold originating in Sudan. The sale to Sudan of certain goods used in gold mining and gold extraction is also prohibited. In so doing, the Federal Council is aligning itself with the EU’s equivalent sanctions. The measures will come into force on 10 September.
7 September 2026
Sanctions: Ordinance on Measures Against Certain Individuals, Groups, Companies, and Organisations Associated with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaïda
The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.
3 September 2026
Gross domestic product in the second quarter of 2026: strong, broad-based growth – large contribution from the chemical and pharmaceutical industry
In the second quarter of 2026, Switzerland’s gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted for sporting events grew by 1.5%, following growth of 0.5% in the previous quarter.(1)(2) This is the strongest GDP growth recorded since the third quarter of 2021. The chemical and pharmaceutical industry made the largest contribution to growth, while value added also increased across a wide range of other sectors. Domestic demand recovered after a weak start to the year.
28 August 2026
Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against individuals and groups associated with the Taliban
The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.
20 August 2026
Switzerland and China conclude negotiations on optimisation of free trade agreement
President Guy Parmelin and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao announced on 20 August, during a meeting in Bern, that negotiations on the optimisation of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Switzerland and the People’s Republic of China had been concluded.