Die Schweiz und die Europäische Union (EU) haben am 21.12.2009 das im Rahmen der Bilateralen I abgeschlossenes Abkommen über die gegenseitige Anerkennung von Konformitätsbewertungen (Mutual Recognition Agreement, MRA CH-EG) um ein neues Kapitel über Aufzüge erweitert und das bestehende Kapitel über Maschinen an die neue EU Maschinenrichtlinie angepasst. Diese Änderung tritt heute in Kraft.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO has pledged USD 10 million in support for the IMF's African Regional Technical Assistance Centres (AFRITACs). The AFRITACs assist partner countries in key areas of macroeconomic management. Switzerland is one of the leading donors in this initiative.

At present, agriculture is responsible for the production of around 14% of greenhouse gases. With increasing demand for food and changing consumer habits, this figure is predicted to rise in the coming years. A global research alliance, to which Switzerland signed up in Copenhagen on 16 December 2009, aims to increase research into how to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced by the agricultural sector.

Economic Outlook and Forecasts of the Federal Government's Expert Group on Economic Forecasts - Winter 2009*. In a brightened-up global economic environment, the Swiss economy, as well, had been able to overcome the recession in Q3 of 2009. According to the Federal Govern-ment's Expert Group on Economic Forecasts, the economic recovery will continue next year, however, in the wake of temporarily fading positive impulses from the international economic environment, it will remain moderate (GDP growth of +0.7% in 2010). It will probably not be before 2011 that the economy will gain momentum (GDP growth of +2.0%). Against the background of a sluggish economic recovery, labour market forecasts remain bleak for 2010. A decline in unemployment is not expected before 2011.

Arbeitslosigkeit im November 2009. Gemäss den Erhebungen des Staatssekretariats für Wirtschaft SECO waren Ende November 2009 163'950 Arbeitslose bei den Regionalen Arbeitsvermittlungszentren (RAV) eingeschrieben, 5'812 mehr als im Vormonat. Die Arbeitslosenquote stieg damit von 4,0% im Oktober 2009 auf 4,2% im Berichtsmonat. Gegenüber dem Vorjahresmonat erhöhte sich die Arbeitslosigkeit um 56'298 Personen (+52,3%).

On 8 December 2009, a closing ceremony under the patronage of the Bilateral Committee of the Egyptian Swiss Development Fund (ESDF), in the presence of Minister of Social Solidarity Ali El-Sayed El-Moselhy, Ambassador Beatrice Maser Mallor from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Ambassador of Switzerland Dominik Furgler was held at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. The governments of Egypt and Switzerland agreed to close the fund as it has been fully disbursed and the development objectives fulfilled.

Anlässlich der 7. WTO Ministerkonferenz in Genf haben Staatssekretär Jean-Daniel Gerber, Direktor des Staatssekretariats für Wirtschaft SECO und Valentine Rugbwiza, Vize-Generaldirektorin der World Trade Organisation (WTO), am 1. Dezember 2009 ein Abkommen zur Schweizer Beteiligung an der "Standards and Trade Development Facility" (STDF) unterzeichnet. Mit einem Beitrag von 0.7 Millionen Franken unterstützt die Schweiz damit die Entwicklungsländer in der Umsetzung des WTO-Abkommen über Sanitäre und Phytosanitäre (SPS)-Massnahmen.

Switzerlands's real gross domestic product (GDP) has increased by 0.3% in Q3 2009 as compared to Q2*. Slightly positive growth impulses came from the trade balance with services. As in the previous quarter already, private consumption and building investments expanded again. Except for value added in the industry which remains on the decline, many productive segments made a positive contribution in Q3. Compared with Q3 of the previous year, GDP dropped by 1.3%.

Ministers of the G-10 met in Geneva today (Monday 30 November 2009) ahead of the 7th Session of the WTO Ministerial conference that will start this afternoon. They assessed the state of play of the DDA negotiations and their priorities in the negotiations on agriculture.

The Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China CHEN Deming and the Minister of Economic Affairs of Switzerland Doris LEUTHARD, decided today in Geneva to launch a joint study to examine the feasibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and Switzerland as a way to further promote the economic relationship between the two countries.

The Federal Council has approved the dispatch on adopting and implementing the Agreement between Switzerland and the EU on easing customs formalities and customs security for the attention of parliament. The agreement makes provision for integrating Switzerland's customs security measures with those of the EU. In this way obstacles to the bilateral movement of goods will be avoided. The agreement has been applied provisionally since 1 July 2009.

The seventh session of the WTO Ministerial Conference will take place in Geneva from 30 November to 2 December. At the meeting Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will strive for a strengthening of WTO bodies, a swift conclusion to the Doha Round and a forward looking approach on the part of the WTO. In particular, the organisation should also do its part to tackle global warming. On the fringes of the Conference, Federal Councillor Leuthard will hold numerous bilateral meetings and chair a G10 Ministerial Conference.

Die tripartite Kommission (TPK) des Bundes zum Vollzug der flankierenden Massnahmen im Rahmen der Personenfreizügigkeit hat an ihrer Sitzung vom 13. November 2009 entschieden, dem Bundesrat den Erlass eines Normalarbeitsvertrages (NAV) mit Mindestlöhnen für in Privathaushalten angestellten Personen zu beantragen. Nach einer öffentlichen Anhörung Anfang 2010 wird das EVD dem Bundesrat eine entsprechende Vorlage unterbreiten.

Die Unternehmensfinanzierung in der Schweiz ist auch im Herbst kaum beeinträchtigt. Dies ergab eine zweite Umfrage im Oktober 2009 bei 551 Unternehmen im Auftrag des Staatssekretariats für Wirtschaft SECO in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Schweizerischen Gewerbeverband, economiesuisse und der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung.

Membrane technology is playing an increasingly important role in drinking water treatment. The latest developments in this area were discussed by experts from Switzerland and abroad at a conference held in Zurich on 16 November 2009, jointly organized by the Swiss Gas and Water Industry Association (SVGW) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag).