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.

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.