E-Government

Simplified electronic licensing, application and registration processes are important for reducing red tape. Electronic services of the authorities are increasingly popular with the economy, not only with regards to digitalising the processes, but also simplifying them and gearing them towards the customers. That is why the Federal Council considers e-government to be an important pillar of the growth policy.

The aim of e-government is to use information and communication technology so that the public administration is as economic, and as close to the citizens, as possible. Anything the public administration used to transmit on paper from one office to another, and finally to the customer, shall be transmitted electronically.

The E-Government Strategy Switzerland stresses the importance of understanding services and processes. Data shall be transmitted from the customer directly to the authorities, and finally to the archives, without any interruption. Common standards for a structured and secure way of handling electronic data and documents are a prerequisite.

The SME Policy Section of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), is pressing ahead with the propagation of electronic government services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Digitalisation is the 2020-2023 focus of SME policy. It is gaining importance in both main areas of SME policy, administrative relief and business financing.