Export sentiment among Swiss SMEs shows virtually no change over the past quarter. Positive factors such as the SNB's cap on the Swiss franc/euro exchange rate and support measures for indebted eurozone countries, on the one hand, and the high degree of uncertainty about the world economic situation, on the other, are canceling each another out. The indices of the SME export indicator from Credit Suisse and Osec have consequently stabilized at a low level.
At a glance
With its head office in Zurich and branches in Lausanne and Lugano, Osec has been commissioned by the government to promote Swiss foreign trade. It does so by taking into account the needs of export-oriented companies, primarily SMEs. Its other main tasks are promoting Switzerland abroad as a business location and promoting imports from selected developing and transition countries.