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.