Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Switzerland’s economy will grow by 1.9 percent in 2010 and 1.6 percent in 2011, says the federation of Swiss businesses, economiesuisse. The group issued its latest forecast Monday 14 June, labeling it “prudent optimism in a difficult period”. It expects the 4 percent unemployment on average in 2010 to fall to 3.6 percent next year. Prices should stabilize but there remains a risk of inflation in the medium term, it says.
Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Economiesuisse has revised upwards its forecast for the Swiss economy for 2010. In June 2009 the umbrella organization for Swiss business had predicted a 2.9 percent drop in Swiss GDP (gross domestic product) for 2009 with a further drop of 0.8 percent in 2010. The group published revised figures Monday 23 November, saying it expects to see growth of 0.7 percent next year, and export growth of 3.8 percent after a year that has proved very difficult for some exporters.
Background: Economiesuisse lowers growth forecast, unemployment to climb, GenevaLunch, 15 June 2009
Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The outlook for the Swiss economy is gloomier than initially believed, says economiesuisse in its latest forecast, published Monday 14 June, which predicts a fall of 2.9 percent in GDP (gross domestic product) for 2009 and another drop of 0.8 percent in 2010. It expects prices to remain stable but internal consumption to be weak, with unemployment growing to 4 percent in 2009 and 5.3 percent in 2010.
Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The CPI, or Consumer Price Index, fell by 0.7% in November, bringing the figure for 2008 to date to a price increase of 1.5%. In October the annual rate was 2.8%. The CPI is often used as part of salary negotiations in Switzerland.
Zurich, Switzerland (romandie/ats, Fre) – Economiesuisse, which one month ago hired a new director, Pascal Gentinetta, says a turbulent period is now behind it. The group, the largest umbrella organization representing various actors in the Swiss economy, notes that Swissmem, which represents the mechanical and engineering industries, will remain part of Economiesuisse and that the accent is being put on better integrating its members.
Bern, Switzerland (Le Temps/ats, Fre) – Pascal Gentinetta, 36, has been named the new head of economiesuisse which calls itself the largest umbrella organization representing the Swiss economy. He has been with the group since 1999 and previously worked in the federal government’s finance department. He replaces Rudolf Ramsauer, who is leaving at the end of September to join the communications and public relations department at Nestle’s head office in Vevey. More than 30,000 Swiss companies are members of economiesuisse, which plays an important business lobbying role as well as acting as a representative of business in government project consultations.
