SUISSE news Winter 2021
Business
January 2021

Swiss SMES look to the new year with confidence – despite the ongoing pandemic

(www.s-ge.com )

SME Export Outlook for first half of 2021

The sentiment of export-oriented Swiss small and medium-enterprises (SMEs) has recovered sharply from last year’s record low. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the majority of Swiss SME’s are anticipating a rise in exports in the first half of 2021. The outlook for the year as a whole is even more confident, as is clear from the latest survey on export sentiment conducted by Switzerland Global Enterprise (s-GE). The Credit Suisse Export Barometer has also improved strongly.

According to the latest S-GE survey conducted between mid-November and mid-December, export sentiment has bounced back to the level it was at prior to the outbreak of the pandemic and is also well above the growth threshold when viewed on a long-term basis. According to the survey results, looking forward to the first semester of 2021, 59% of SMEs anticipate rising exports, while 27% expect stagnation and 14% are bracing themselves for a further decline.

For the year 2021 as a whole, perspectives are even more optimistic, as 72% of the surveyed SMEs expect a rise in exports. At the same time, the new year will continue to be dominated by the coronavirus crisis. For 71% of surveyed SMEs, the associated uncertainties remain the dominant theme. Most of the survey participants are part of the manufacturing sector. 

The Credit Suisse Export Barometer, which illustrates foreign demand for Swiss products, backs up this positive outlook. According to Credit Suisse, over the course of the last six months the prospects for Switzerland’s export industry have brightened tangibly following last year’s slump in confidence. Purchasing managers indices point to a significant improvement in sentiment in global manufacturing since the spring of 2020. This can be expected to support demand for Swiss exports over the coming semester.

Tiziana Hunziker, an Economist at Credit Suisse, commented: “Unlike the services sector, global manufacturing has largely been spared the fallout from the second wave of Covid-19. Export sentiment in the industrial sector is accordingly positive. The Export Barometer is therefore indicating an increase in exports over the next semester.”

Alberto Silini, Head of Consulting at S-GE, added: “At the end of 2020, export-oriented Swiss SMEs have returned to optimism. Our survey confirms that SMEs have succeeded in stabilizing their international business, maintaining market share and adapting their business models to the new reality in recent months. This shows once again the dynamic among crisis-tested Swiss SMEs. It remains to be seen whether their expectations will be met in light of further developments of the pandemic.”

Reprinted with permission from the Switzerland Global Enterprise website www.s-ge.com. SGE is the official Swiss organisation for export and investment promotion. It is represented in Canada by the Swiss Business Hub Canada (SBHC).  For further information, please contact Mike Stewart who is based in Toronto with the SBHC at mstewart@sge-com. 
SCCC Corporate Members
  • Habib Canadian Bank  (Subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich)
  • Zurich Canada
  • Laderach (Canada) Inc.
  • Custom Spring Corporate
  • Rolex Canada Ltd.
  • Lette LLP
  • Swiss Business Hub
  • Roche Canada
  • Swissmar Ltd.
  • Swiss International Air Lines Ltd.
  • Endress + Hauser Canada Ltd
  • Hilti (Canada) Corporation
  • Switzerland Tourism
  • Mazars LLP
  • Canadian Tire Corporation
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  • Adecco Employment Services Limited