Switzerland
General
Information & Brief Economic Summary
Standards
Government
Contacts in Switzerland
Swiss Government
Contacts
Trade Associations
and Other Key Contacts
General Information & Brief
Economic Summary
The Swiss Economy is among the world's most advanced and
prosperous. Per capita income is virtually the highest in the
world, as are wages. Economic growth is expected to be around
2.0% for 2002 - the rate most economist see as the economy's
average long-term growth potential. Trade has been the key to
prosperity in Switzerland. The country is dependent upon export
markets to generate income while dependent upon imports for raw
materials and to expand the range of goods and services
available in the country. Switzerland has liberal trade and
investment policies and a conservative fiscal policy. The Swiss
legal system is highly developed, commercial law is
well-defined, and solid laws and policies protect investments.
The European Union (EU) is Switzerland's largest trading
partner. The United States is the second-largest importer of
Swiss goods. Switzerland is a member of a number of
international economic organizations, including the WTO, the
IMF, the World Band and the OECD.
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Standards
The umbrella organization for Swiss standards is the
Schweizerische Normen-Vereinigun (SNV, or Swiss Standards
Association), a private nonprofit association under Swiss law
which groups Swiss governmental and private agencies and firms
for the purpose of developing industrial standards and
technical regulations. Certification rests with a variety of
governmental and private agencies such as the Swiss Association
of Machinery Manufacturers (VSM), Swiss Association of
Electrical Apparatus Manufacturers (SEV), Federal Health
Office, and the PTT. The SNV is in turn a member of the
International Standards Organization (ISO) in Geneva, in which
some 2,000 industry associations worldwide participate in the
establishment of a system of quality management and
recommendations.
For further information on Switzerland's standards and
certifications, contact:
Schweizerische Normen-Vereinigung (SNV)
Director: Dr. H. Zuerrer
(Standards Association) Tel: (41-1) 254 54 54
Muehlebachstrasse 54 Fax: (41-1) 254 54 74
CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
ISO Central Secretariat:
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
1, rue de Varembe, Case postale 56
CH 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11 FAX: +41 22 733 34
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Government Contacts in
Switzerland
U.S. Embassy Bern
Street/International Mail:
Jubilaeumsstrasse 93-97
P.O. Box
CH-3001 Bern
Switzerland
Tel: (41-31) 357-7011
Fax: (41-31) 357-7336
www.usembassy.ch
www.ucom.ch
U.S. Pouch Address:
American Embassy Bern
U.S. Department of State
5110 Bern Place
Washington, D.C. 20521-5110
Telephone: (41-31) 357-7011
Fax: (41-31) 357-7336
Geneva - America Center
International Mail
Rue Versonnex 7
CH-1207 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: (41-22) 840-5153
Fax: (41-22) 840-5167
Zurich - America Center
International Mail
Dufourstrasse 101
CH-8008 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel: (41-1) 422-2372
Fax: (41-1) 382-2655
AmCham and Swiss Chambers of
Commerce
There is no central chamber of commerce for all of
Switzerland, rather each canton has its own chamber. There are
also chamber associations covering business between Switzerland
and most major trading partner. Following is the address of the
Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, as well as a selection of
cantonal chambers.
Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce
Talaker 41
CH-8001 Zurich, Switzerland
Contact: Walter H. Diggelmann, CEO
Tel: (41-1) 211 24 54
Fax: (41-1) 211 95 72
Email:
info@amcham.ch
http://www.amcham.ch
Basel
Handelskammer beider Basel
St. Alban-Graben, P.O. Box
CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
Director: Dr. Burkhardt
Tel: (41-61) 272 18 88
Fax: (41-61) 272 62 28
Bern
Berner Handelskammer
Gutenbergstrasse 1
CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland
Director: Dr. R. Portmann
Tel: (41-31) 388 87 87
Fax: (41-31) 388 7070
Geneva
Chambre de Commerce et de
l'Industrie de Geneve
Bd du Theatre 4, C.P. 5039
CH-1211 Geneve 11, Switzerland
Director: Patrick Coidan
Tel: (41-22) 819 91 11 Fax: (41-22) 819 91 00
Zurich
Zurcher Handelskammer
Bleicherweg 5, P.O. Box 4031
CH-8022 Zurich, Switzerland
Director: Mr. C. Boesch
Tel: (41-1) 221 07 42
Fax: (41-1) 211 76 15
http://www.zurichcci.ch
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Swiss Government
Contacts
Bundesamt fuer Statistik
(Fed. Office for Statistics)
Espace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchatel, Switzerland
Dir: Mrs. A. Buergi-Schmelz
Tel: (41-32) 713-60-11
Fax: (41-32) 713-60-02
Eidg. Institut fur Geistiges Eigentum
(Fed. Inst. for Intellectual Property)
Einsteinstrasse 2
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Dir: Dr. R. Grossenbacher
Tel: (41-31) 325 25 25
Fax: (41-31) 325 25 26
http://www.ige.ch
Eidegenoessische Finanzdepartement:
(Federal Department of Finance)
Eidg. Zollverwaltung
(Federal Customs Office)
Monbijoustrasse 40
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Director: Dr. R. Dietrich
Tel: (41-31) 322 65 11
Fax: (41-31) 322 78 72
Eidgenoessische Volkswirtschaftsdepartement:
(Federal Department of Economic Affairs)
Staatssekretariat fur Wirtschaft (SECO)
(State Secretariat for Economic Aff.)
Bundeshaus Ost
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Secretary: Dr. David Syz
Tel: (41-31) 322 56 56
Fax: (41-31) 322 56 00
www.seco.admin.ch
Bundesamt fuer Wirtschaft und Arbeit
(Fed. Office for Econ. Dev. & Labor)
Bundesgasse 8
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Director: J.L. Nordmann
Tel: (41-31) 322 29 09
Fax: (41-31) 322 27 49
Bundesamt fuer Berufsbildung & Technologie
(Fed. Off. For Prof. Training & Technology)
Effingerstrasse 27
CH3003 Bern, Switzerland
Director: Prof. H. Sieber
Tel: (41-31) 322 21 29
Fax: (41-31) 324 96 15
Eidg. Dept. fuer Umwelt, Verkehr, Energie und
Kommunikation:
(Fed. Dept. of Environment, Transport, Energy and
Communications)
Bundesamt fuer Zivilluftfahrt
(Federal Office for Civil Aviation)
Director: Andre Auer
Maulbeerstrasse 9
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel: (41-31) 325 80 39
Fax: (41-31) 325 80 32
Bundesamt fuer Kommunikation
Federal Office for Communications
Director: Mr. M. Furrer
Zukunftsstrasse 44
CH-2501 Biel, Switzerland
Tel: (41-32) 328 55 11
Fax: (41-32) 328 55 55
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Trade Associations and Other Key
Contacts
SHIV Schweizerischer Handels- und Industrieverein
(Vorort)
(Swiss Union of Commerce and Industry Assn.)
Hegibachstrasse 47, P.O. Box 1072
CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Pres: Dr. A. F. Leuenberger
Dir: Dr. R. Ramsauer
Tel: (41-1) 389 93 00
Fax: (41-1) 389 93 89
Email:
vorort@vorort.ch
Business Network Switzerland (OSEC)
(Swiss Office for Trade Promotion)
Stampfenbachstrasse 85, P.O. Box 492
CH-8035 Zurich, Switzerland
U.S. Desk: Ms. Kuenzli
Tel: (41-1) 365 51 51
Fax: (41-1) 365 52 21
Email: info@osec.ch
www.osec.ch
Vereinigung des Schweizerischen Import- und Grosshandels
(VSIG)
(Swiss Federation of Importers & Wholesalers)
Guterstrasse 78, P.O. Box 656
CH-4010 Basel, Switzerland
Director: Dr. J.R.Zeller
Tel: (41-61) 228 90 30
Fax: (41-61) 228 90 39
http://www.vsig.ch
Schweizerischer Verband Transit- der Internationalen Handels
Firmen - Sec: Dr. Michael Pfeifer
und Welthandelsfirmen Tel: (41-61) 279-33-91
(Swiss Assn. Of Intl. Trading Houses) Fax: (41-61)
279-33-10
P.O. Box 526, Aeschenvorstadt 4
CH-4010 Basel, Switzerland
Swissmem
Verein Schweizerischer
Maschinenindustrieller (VSM)
(Machinery Manufacturers Association)
Kirchenweg 4, P.O. Box
CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Director: Mr. T. Daum
Tel: (41-1) 384 44 11
Fax: (41-1) 384 42 42
http://www.swissmem.ch
Email:
info@swissmem.ch
Verband des Schweiz. Maschinenund Werkzeughandels
(Machine & Tool Trade Association)
Buchhaldenstrasse 10
CH-8610 Uster, Switzerland
President: Mr. U. Hofstetter
Tel: (41-1) 940 93 36
Fax: (41-1) 940 93 44
Verein Schweiz. Metallwarenfabrikanten
(Metal Product Manufacturer's Association)
Gartenstrasse 3, P.O. Box 4754
CH-6304 Zug, Switzerland
Secretary: P. Schnadt
Tel: (41-41) 711 61 34
Fax: (41-41) 711 88 43
Schweiz. Elektrotechnischer Verein
Luppmenstrasse 1
CH-8320, Fehraltorf, Switzerland
Director: Dr. E. Jurczek
Tel: (41-1) 956 11 11
Fax: (41-1) 956 11 22
Schweizerische Normen-Vereinigung (SNV)
(Standards Association)
Burglistrasse 29
CH-8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
Director: Dr. H.P. Homberger
Tel: (41-1) 254 54 54
Fax: (41-1) 254 54 74
Email: info@snv.ch
www.snv.ch
Schweiz. Technischer Verband (STV)
(Swiss Technical Association)
Weinbergstrasse 41, POB
CH-8023 Zurich, Switzerland
Secretary: Mr. A. Hugi
Tel: (41-1) 268 37 11
Fax: (41-1) 268 37 00
Email:
info@swissengineering.ch
http://www.swissengineering.ch
Schweizer Automatik Pool (SAP)
(Electronics, Automation Equipment & Computer Manuf. &
Distr. Association) c/o ATAG Ernst & Young AG
P.O. Box 5272
CH-8022 Zurich, Switzerland
Contact: Mr. R. Schmid
Tel: (41-1) 286 31 11
Fax: (41-1) 202 92 83
http://www.sap-verband.ch
ProTelecom
(Swiss Telecommunication Association)
Laupenstrasse 18a, P.O. Box
CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland
Director: Mr. J. Wilhelm
Tel: (41-31) 390 40 40
Fax: (41-31) 390 40 41
Email:
office@protelecom.ch
www.protelecom.ch
Schweiz. Ingenieur & Architekten Verein (SIA)
(Society of Engineers and Architects)
Selnaustrasse 16, P.O. Box
CH-8039 Zurich, Switzerland
Gen. Secretary: Mr. E. Mosimann
Tel: (41-1) 283-1515
Fax: (41-1) 201-6335
http://www.sia.ch
Schweizerische Bankiervereingung
(Swiss Banking Association)
P.O. Box 4182, Aeschenplatz 7
CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
Director: Dr. Urs ph. Roth
Tel: (41061) 295 93 93
Fax: (41-61) 272 53 82
Email: office@sba.ch
www.swissbanking.org
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Mavex Basle
June 5-8, 2007
Basel, Switzerland
Phone: +41 58 2002020
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Source: US Department of Commerce.
*This guide is not a complete list of trade associations or
publications. We welcome any additions to this document. The
Material Handling Industry does not assume a legal liability or
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of
the information contained herein. The listing of information
here does not reflect an endorsement of any of the particular
information by the Material Handling Industry.