Economy Minister Schneider-Ammann for SNB decision
"No time for bickering»
The Federal Council wants to strengthen with a bundle of measures the location of Switzerland after the SNB decision. The termination of the Bilateral now is certainly not an option, says Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann.
How do you assess the SNB decision, enter: violent hurricane with a definite end or as a long-term climate change?
It was the first thunderclap of a violent thunderstorm with uncertain duration.
With how long do you expect?
How to develop the exchange rates, nobody knows. The uncertainty will probably take at least weeks or months. Of course there is the hope that the price will stabilize at a level at which the economy can live.
Finance Minister Widmer-Schlumpf speaks of a franc-euro exchange rate, which will stabilize at CHF 1.10 and with the economy could live.
Since I am very cautious. Also, such a course would be for the machinery industry, of which I come from, a formidable challenge.
Where do you see the "real" exchange rate?
Until the SNB decision of purchasing power parity was significantly higher than 1 franc 20. The present route is not real economically justified, and 1 franc 10 would be from this point of view certainly too low. But that's the theory. Fact: The stress on the economy is great. The concerns of enterprises must be taken seriously. Many had last finally ground under their feet. They had fought back with all his strength a margin could invest again. Now they are thrown back to square one. The shock is particularly severe this time.
Has become part of the company relied too heavily on the lower limit as a hedge?
I resist strongly against the charge of the economy, they have not taken the time. The international competitors from the Far East or from the EU can calculate with much lower costs. I know of no company that has been resting at the minimum price. The Efforts were also made to secure jobs in Switzerland. I trust in the strength of the Swiss economy and appeal to companies to confront the challenge this time too combative, innovate and continue to invest here. We must ensure that companies find no other way out than to shift jobs abroad.
They are available as economy minister under a big pressure of expectation. Can you meet these expectations at all?
For the exchange rate, monetary policy of the National Bank is crucial. And the consequences of the strong franc can not resolve overnight, the minister said. In this respect, the expectations of me were already in 2011. unrealistic. But what I can and do: devote all my strength that the competitiveness of our location is recovered. This requires many small steps that make up much in the sum. A key element is the report on the new growth policy that is still being treated in the Bundesrat. The measures provided for therein have become more important and implement even faster.
If the report is revised in the light of the SNB decision?
No. We have already identified the measures previously areas.
What is the core of the program?
In my view, three strategic thrusts are necessary. First, labor productivity must be increased so that there continues to be growth, prosperity and secure jobs. This also helps to reduce the shortage of skilled workers. Great potential exists mainly in government-related areas such as administration, education and health care. Second, the economy has become more resilient. This includes to avoid that accumulate debt. Third, we need to better influence the side effects of the growth and use natural resources more efficiently. I put everything under my ultimate goal: give as each and every Swiss Swiss prospects by having a job. De-industrialization, we must avoid. Unbearable for me would be a youth unemployment rate of 30 or 50 per cent, as elsewhere in Europe.
Is this in conflict with the demands of business associations that are now rapidly require a cost reduction program?
No, on the contrary: Administrative relief means lower costs and higher productivity for the company. For this is all potential. So I have the Federal Office for Agriculture commissioned to systematically exempt all regulations of unnecessary administrative costs for the farmers. Two other examples: Fifteen cantons have agreed on a formal harmonization of the building regulations. When connect the other, lower costs. Switzerland would more competitive. However, government action is not only the state: The social partners should urgently reach an agreement on the acquisition of working hours. We have no time for bickering.
Such measures are only effective in the long term. Have you planned short term measures?
Security planning is central to the company in this situation. Only a clear commitment to the policy reforms are entrepreneurs now, the necessary assurance that they find here the best possible conditions, despite the strong Swiss franc, which we can not control for years. This affects the short and long term.
Give a stimulus package so a rejection?
I do not want to pre-empt any discussion in the Bundesrat. But economic support measures for the internal market in a threatening situation such as the present simple to fizzle. Helps distribute money in Switzerland neither to export products to bring more tourists to Switzerland. As long as we are not in a recession, a recovery plan in my view is not displayed.
The revision of antitrust law failed last year. Plan under changed sign a new edition?
We did not get through the revision of the Competition Act, because the original was overloaded from all sides. Is that changing now, it's only a matter of time until we restart the project in purposeful ways.
The Swiss Employers' Association calls for a reduction of wages, so that the cost of labor decreases. Is that necessary?
The social partners must negotiate wages with each other, at the industry level and in individual companies. On this principle, I do not rüttle. Wage issues are very sensitive, you have to approach it with tact. If employers and workers join together to compete, they find the right reward.
The Federal Council will soon decide on a negotiating mandate and a template for the implementation of large-scale immigration initiative that is inconsistent with the bilateral contracts. Should Switzerland given the economic situation really going on the offensive?
The Federal Council has confirmed in August that he has two goals: the implementation of Article 121 of the Federal Constitution and the protection and development of bilateral agreements with the European Union. At this thrust of the National Bank decision does not change anything. It is now important that we find a solution quickly. The economy needs planning. The sooner we are able to recover these, the more investments are made and the greater the chances that the jobs will be preserved.
And if this does not agree initiative and bilateral agreements?
The termination of the Bilateral is definitely not an option for me. The bilateral agreements shall not be questioned in the implementation of this initiative.
If the agreement with the EU actually existentially important?
Yes. I watched as an entrepreneur the time of non-tariff barriers to trade in Europe. Our machines had to be approved in each country tedious and expensive. The swiss enterprise would suffer tremendously if they could have done differently than their competitors to fight again with such hurdles. Combined with the current exchange rate would be an unsustainable deterioration in competitiveness.
You have gathered the social partners and other stakeholders at a round table three years ago. Plan now something similar?
I spoke in the evening immediately after the cancellation of the euro floor in a conference call with the President of the associations. We discussed the situation and agreed that we need to overcome this challenge together. I will bring together the actors in the coming weeks and physically at a round table.