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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:

2022

Several parked cars.

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.
Someone switching off the lights.

Hotel industry rebound hampered by energy costs

(23.11.2022) The winter is looking relatively positive for the Swiss accommodation sector. According to a survey by HôtellerieSuisse, more than 50% of establishments expect their sales to equal or exceed their pre-Covid levels. However, rising costs are curbing this trend.
A closed-up commercial space.

Bankruptcies up in first 3 quarters

(16.11.2022) The first nine months of the year have proven tumultuous for Swiss companies. According to consulting firm Dun&Bradstreet, insolvencies rose by 23% in the first three quarters of 2022. On the other hand, company start-ups have fallen by 2%.
A man hunched over a table displaying a declining graph.

SMEs start to feel crunch from demand

(16.11.2022) Small and medium-sized companies are struggling to improve their business situation. According to a survey of 200 manufacturing companies, the Raiffeisen SME PMI stagnated at 50.0 points in October, corresponding to the borderline between expansion (>50) and contraction (<50).
A woman facing a storefront window with the words "Sale 30-50%".

Inflation spurs interest in promotional days

(09.11.2022) More and more consumers are considering taking advantage of discounts offered on Singles’ Day and Black Friday. According to a survey by the Swiss Retail Federation, nearly half of them are now more attentive to promotions because of rising prices.
Ten medical vials with transparent fluid.

Foreign trade up again in Q3

(09.11.2022) Switzerland's exports and imports set a new record in the third quarter of 2022. According to the Federal Office of Customs (FOC), the volume of exports rose by 1.3% compared to the previous quarter.
Five franc and five cent coins in front of a hundred dollar bill.

Inflation slows in Switzerland, but accelerates in the euro zone

(02.11.2022) After six months of inflation, the consumer price index (CPI) fell in September. The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) recorded a month-on-month decline of 0.2%. Europe-wide, the inflation rate reached 1.2% in the same period, according to Eurostat.
A man trying a watch on his wrist.

Watchmaking: moving more towards online and pre-owned

(02.11.2022) The outlook for the watch industry in 2022 is favorable. According to a study by consulting firm Deloitte, nearly 57% of executives in the sector expect good results this year, despite ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
A person turns off the heating.

Growth forecasts revised downward

(26.10.2022) The Swiss economy is likely to escape recession despite the economic turmoil. According to the KOF Swiss Economic Institute, gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to reach 2.3% in 2022 and 1% in 2023, before returning to normal at 1.7% in 2024.
A mechanic repairing a car.

Job market stabilizes at high level

(26.10.2022) The Swiss job market remains strong in the third quarter of 2022. The Swiss Job Market Monitor, published by the Adecco Group and the University of Zurich, confirms the stagnation trend observed since the beginning of the year with a 1% quarter-on-quarter increase.
Spools of thread in sewing machines.

Downward economic outlook this year

(19.10.2022) The Swiss Economic Institute's (KOF) barometer of the ETH Zurich points to a slowdown in the Swiss economy by the end of 2022. In September, the barometer stood at 93.8, an increase of 0.3 points from its revised value of 93.5 in August.
A man in a virtual reality headset plays on his computer

Switzerland remains world's most innovative economy

(19.10.2022) For the 12th year in a row, Switzerland is ranked first in the Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Sweden has fallen behind the United States (2nd) and is now in 3rd place.

2021

Woman scanning qr code in front of a PC

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.

2018

In an office, four employees discuss the business situation in front of a PC.

Companies benefit from EasyGov and SME Portal

(20.11.2018) SME Portal and EasyGov.swiss together generate annual benefits of around CHF 47 million for Swiss companies. According to a SECO study published on 20 November 2018, both of these platforms are highly appreciated by users in the economy. SME Portal alone has over 37,000 users per month.
information Swiss Small and Medium-size Entreprises, SME portal, Secretariat of State for Economic affairs SECO English setting up your own business as foreigner, Swiss platform

The SME Portal is available in English

(12.09.2018) Designed for small and medium-sized businesses, the SME Portal is now available in English. Launched on September 11 by the Secretariat of State for Economic Affairs (SECO), this new version of the site makes thousands of practical and useful information available to English-speaking leaders.

Last modification 04.01.2022

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