Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER

Over a period of more than ten years and in nine separate proceedings, COMCO investigated agreements on the financial markets. The investigations involving twenty banks in total concerned the business areas of interest rate derivatives, foreign exchange spot trading and precious metals trading. COMCO concluded seven investigations with settlements and discontinued two proceedings. It imposed fines totaling CHF 237.5 million.

Ultra-light, super-flexible, highly insulating: An aluminum-coated polymer film is used to shield satellites from temperature extremes. Researchers at Empa have succeeded in making the material even more resistant by implementing an ultra-thin intermediate layer. The technology could in future also be used to improve flexible electronics and medical sensors.

The Federal Government Expert Group on Business Cycles has slightly revised upwards its forecast for economic growth in 2026 (GDP adjusted for sporting events: 1.1%; October forecast: 0.9%). The reduction in US tariffs has improved prospects for the sectors concerned. In 2027, growth in Switzerland is expected to normalise at 1.7% as the global economy gradually recovers. The forecast is based on the technical assumption that international tariffs will remain at current levels. However, uncertainty remains high.

Swiss deep-tech startup and Empa Spin-Off Ionic Wind has closed an oversubscribed US $2.1 million pre-seed round to fast-track the industrialization of its solid-state airflow technology. The funding will accelerate the rollout of Ionic Wind’s ultra-thin, silent airflow accelerators – a new class of cooling modules with unprecedented design freedom that can eliminate the need for mechanical fans.

Allocution de M. Guy Parmelin, Conseiller fédéral, Chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche (DEFR) à l’occasion de la Fête de l’Escalade 2025

On 12 December, the Federal Council decided to adapt the sanctions against Iran to the status prior to the conclusion of the Vienna Agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. To make that possible, it conducted a total revision of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The new ordinance enters into force at 11pm on 12 December.