| |
| Switzerland |
| Foreign
Trade |
Trade with the World
From the beginning Switzerland opted for a consistent policy of free
trade and openness to the world. The geographical location in the
centre of Europe’s trade routes has been advantages. Switzerland
has a tradition of entering into partnerships with other countries
and of exporting products and services of high value added content.
This is the basis for its healthy balance of payments and high standard
of living.
Half of Switzerland’s gross domestic product today comes from
foreign trade. More than one third of domestic demand for products
and services is met by imports. Switzerland, with its 7 million inhabitants,
is one of the most active trading nations in the world, ranking 14th
in exports and 16th in imports.
| |
Exports
and Imports
Switzerland’s Foreign Trade since 1950 |
| Year |
Imports Swiss.fr/m
|
Exports Swiss.fr/m
|
Balance
Swiss.fr/m |
| 1950 |
4,536 |
3,911 |
-625 |
| 1960 |
9,648 |
8,131 |
-1,517 |
| 1970 |
27,873 |
22,140 |
-5,733 |
| 1980 |
60,859 |
49,608 |
-11,251 |
| 1985 |
74,750 |
66,624 |
-8,126 |
| 1986 |
73,511 |
67,004 |
-6,507 |
| 1987 |
75,171 |
67,477 |
-7,694 |
| 1988 |
82,399 |
74,064 |
-8,335 |
| 1989 |
95,209 |
84,268 |
-10,941 |
1990
|
96,611 |
88,257 |
-8,354 |
| 1991 |
95,031 |
87,947 |
-7,084 |
| 1992 |
92,330 |
92,142 |
-188 |
| 1993 |
89,830 |
93,289 |
3,459 |
| 1994 |
92,483 |
95,827 |
3,219 |
| 1995 |
94,483 |
96,236 |
1,753 |
| 1996 |
96,664 |
98,584 |
1,925 |
| |
| Swiss
Imports – 1996 by Type of Products |
Sw.fr/m
|
1990 |
1990 (%) |
1995 |
1996 |
1996% |
Machines
and electronics
|
19,794 |
20.49 |
20,474 |
20.749 |
21.46 |
Pharmaceuticals
|
10,625 |
11.00 |
12,982 |
13,520 |
13.99 |
| Vehicles |
10,230 |
10.58 |
10,600 |
11,200 |
11.59 |
Instruments, Watches & Jewellery
|
11,164 |
11.55 |
8,796 |
9,607 |
9.94 |
| Agricultural and Forestry
products |
8,095 |
3.38 |
8,071 |
8,284 |
8.57 |
Metal Industry
|
9,025 |
9.34 |
8,912 |
8,042 |
8.32 |
| Textiles and Clothing |
8,806 |
9.12 |
7,918 |
7,837 |
8.11 |
| Other |
5,125 |
5.30 |
4,250 |
4,595 |
4.75 |
| Paper and graphic arts |
3,818 |
3.96 |
4,175 |
4,040 |
4.18 |
| Leather, rubber, plastics |
3,476 |
3.60 |
3,638 |
3,462 |
3.58 |
| Energy products |
4,312 |
4.46 |
2,656 |
3,352 |
3.47 |
| Stones
and earth |
2,143 |
2.22 |
2,012 |
1,976 |
2.04 |
Total
|
96,613 |
100.00 |
94,484 |
96,664 |
100.00 |
| |
| Switzerland’s
Key Supplier |
Europe (Over
Sw.fr 1 billion)
|
77,575 |
77,477 |
77,577 |
78480 |
Germany
|
32,634 |
30,407 |
31,855 |
30350 |
| France |
10,708 |
10,174 |
10,762 |
11165 |
| Italy |
10,159 |
9,160 |
9,573 |
10375 |
| Great Britain |
5,083 |
6,140 |
5,243 |
6208 |
| Netherlands |
3,966 |
4,333 |
4,338 |
4577 |
| Austria |
3,807 |
3,811 |
3,995 |
3336 |
| Belgium/Luxembourg |
3,469 |
3,500 |
3,350 |
3411 |
| Spain |
1,175 |
1,312 |
1,358 |
1588 |
| Sweden |
1,854 |
1,581 |
1,707 |
1561 |
| Ireland |
568 |
887 |
856 |
1092 |
| Denmark |
945 |
1,031 |
1,061 |
1017 |
| Other |
4,112 |
5,141 |
3,479 |
3800 |
Africa
(Over Sw.fr 300 million)
|
1,684 |
1,138 |
1,226 |
1629 |
| Libya |
314 |
331 |
351 |
405 |
| South Africa |
594 |
207 |
284 |
360 |
| Nigeria |
72 |
166 |
213 |
314 |
| Other |
704 |
434 |
378 |
550 |
| Asia (over
Sw.fr 150 million) |
8,965 |
8,371 |
8,038 |
7957 |
| Japan |
4,246 |
3,131 |
2,985 |
2608 |
| China |
419 |
1,144 |
1,076 |
1204 |
| Taiwan |
553 |
593 |
588 |
643 |
| Hong Kong |
902 |
671 |
643 |
617 |
| Thailand |
375 |
514 |
479 |
552 |
| South Korea |
421 |
337 |
377 |
380 |
| India |
268 |
331 |
337 |
367 |
| Israel |
367 |
359 |
342 |
273 |
| Saudi Arabia |
540 |
253 |
278 |
265 |
| Singapore |
540 |
253 |
278 |
265 |
| Lebanon |
79 |
135 |
94 |
190 |
| Other |
521 |
653 |
641 |
635 |
| America
(Over Sw.fr 200 million) |
8,235 |
7,434 |
7,474 |
6393 |
| USA |
5,921 |
5,704 |
5,843 |
6846 |
| Canada |
304 |
301 |
383 |
413 |
| Brazil |
345 |
316 |
295 |
283 |
| Oceania
(Over Sw.fr 100 million) |
152 |
188 |
168 |
206 |
| Australia |
100 |
123 |
98 |
122 |
| Other |
52 |
65 |
70 |
84 |
| |
| Swiss
Exports 1996 - by Type of Products |
Sw.fr/m
|
1990 |
1990 (%) |
1995 |
1996 |
1996 (%) |
Machines and electronics
|
25,527 |
28.92 |
27,396 |
28,047 |
28.45 |
| Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals |
18,425 |
20.88 |
24,043 |
25,954 |
|
| Instruments, Watches & Jewellery |
18,471 |
20.93 |
18,455 |
18,217 |
18.48 |
| Metal Industry |
7,537 |
8.54 |
8,346 |
8,189 |
8.31 |
| Textiles and Clothing |
4,984 |
5.65 |
3,953 |
3,672 |
3.72 |
| Agricultural
and Forestry products |
2,998 |
3.40 |
3,535 |
3,511 |
3.56 |
| Leather, rubber, plastics |
2,220 |
2.52 |
2,868 |
2,711 |
2.75 |
| Other |
3,802 |
4.30 |
2,356 |
2,550 |
2.59 |
| Paper and graphic arts |
2,149 |
2.43 |
2,527 |
2,476 |
2.51 |
| Vehicles |
1,485 |
1.68 |
1,936 |
2,444 |
2.48 |
| Stones and earth |
604 |
0.68 |
734 |
705 |
0.72 |
| Energy products |
58 |
0.06 |
88 |
112 |
0.11 |
| Total |
88,260 |
100.00 |
96,237 |
98,589 |
100.00 |
| |
| Switzerland’s
Key Customers Sw.Fr/m 1990 1994 1995 1996 |
Europe (Over Sw.fr 1
billion)
|
60,811 |
63,338 |
64,370 |
64,629 |
Germany
|
19,513 |
22,440 |
22,913 |
22,335 |
| France |
8,748 |
8,802 |
9,166 |
9,185 |
| Italy |
7,850 |
7,135 |
7,298 |
7,409 |
| Great Britain |
6,573 |
6,360 |
5,861 |
6,208 |
| Austria |
3,265 |
3,431 |
3,429 |
3,026 |
| Netherlands |
2,392 |
2,554 |
2,589 |
2,577 |
Belgium/Luxembourg
|
2,032 |
2,367 |
2,155 |
2,331 |
| Spain |
1,880 |
1,901 |
2,023 |
2,202 |
| Sweden |
1,452 |
1,343 |
1,333 |
1,416 |
| Turkey |
810 |
583 |
947 |
1,145 |
| Denmark |
952 |
1,026 |
1,136 |
1,006 |
| Other |
5,344 |
5,396 |
5,520 |
5,789 |
| Africa
(Over Sw.fr 500 million) |
1,842 |
1,787 |
1,765 |
1,769 |
| South Africa |
525 |
677 |
700 |
696 |
| Egypt |
257 |
232 |
253 |
312 |
| Other |
1,060 |
878 |
812 |
761 |
| Asia
(Over Sw.fr 500 million) |
14,840 |
17,476 |
17,511 |
18,204 |
| Japan |
4,206 |
3,713 |
3,845 |
4,109 |
Hong Kong
|
2,265 |
3,160 |
2,843 |
2,697 |
| Singapore |
938 |
1,235 |
1,270 |
1,446 |
| Israel |
1,225 |
1,163 |
969 |
1,235 |
| South Korea |
624 |
918 |
975 |
1,161 |
| Taiwan |
653 |
975 |
938 |
931 |
| Saudi Arabia |
859 |
1,082 |
1,189 |
901 |
| Thailand |
569 |
903 |
876 |
895 |
| China |
415 |
863 |
843 |
888 |
| India |
393 |
534 |
660 |
666 |
| Malaysia |
231 |
497 |
643 |
541 |
| UAE |
312 |
487 |
434 |
515 |
| Other |
2,150 |
1,946 |
2,026 |
2,219 |
| America
(Over Sw.fr 500 million) |
9,891 |
12,225 |
11,525 |
12,793 |
| USA |
6,977 |
8,673 |
8,224 |
9,134 |
| Brazil |
536 |
702 |
804 |
908 |
| Canada |
709 |
656 |
760 |
810 |
| Other |
1,669 |
2,194 |
1,737 |
1,941 |
| Oceania
(Over Sw.fr 200 million) |
874 |
1,002 |
1,065 |
994 |
| Australia |
694 |
843 |
899 |
835 |
| Other |
180 |
159 |
166 |
159 |
Switzerland’s main trading partner is the European Union (EU),
Germany being the largest single importer of Swiss products and services.
The EU is also its principle supplier. In a relatively "close-knit"
market like Europe, the density of trade is very high. However, this
has not prevented Switzerland from developing trading links with other
parts of the world, notably with North America and newly emerging
markets of Eastern Asia.
Total Exports and Imports (Rs. mn)
| Year |
Exports |
Imports |
Trade Balance |
| 1995 |
999.79 |
4,521 |
3,521.87 |
| 1996 |
1,299.55 |
4,228.70 |
2,929.15 |
| 1997 |
1,731.10 |
4,301.89 |
2,570.79 |
 |
Trade balance between Sri Lanka and Switzerland has been favourable
to Switzerland, during the period 1995-97. However, the value of imports
has been reducing over this period, thus reducing the trade imbalance.
Sri Lanka’s market share in Switzerland is 0.03% (1995). Sri Lanka is in 66th place as an exporter to Switzerland.
| |
| Major
Exports from Sri Lanka |
| Market |
VA 1993 |
LUE 1994 |
1995 |
Rs. mn 1996
|
1997 |
| Switzerland |
|
|
|
|
|
| Garments |
364.09 |
234.84 |
223.07 |
336.21 |
446.56 |
| Electrical &
electronic products |
81.93 |
218.16 |
171.09 |
139.48 |
46.33 |
| Gems |
132.60 |
230.18 |
164.24 |
129.59 |
326.62 |
| Jewellery |
20.26 |
3.49 |
27.74 |
44.56 |
12.69 |
| Diamonds |
16.45 |
53.12 |
30.71 |
41.02 |
78.48 |
| Tea |
21.40 |
14.04 |
31.87 |
30.64 |
41.83 |
| Clothing accessories of Leather |
23.79 |
48.24 |
145.78 |
20.68 |
40.11 |
| Confectionary
& Bakery Products |
3.03 |
3.61 |
1.87 |
14.95 |
1.72 |
| Leather, Travel Goods, Bags etc. |
4.98 |
5.78 |
5.13 |
13.74 |
0.49 |
| Rubber Footwear
|
5.45 |
7.71 |
11.44 |
13.18 |
1.56 |
| Toys, Games & Sports Requisites |
2.31 |
9.01 |
7.62 |
11.00 |
11.18 |
| Cinnamon |
4.17 |
7.31 |
11.80 |
8.55 |
12.85 |
| Fruits (fresh or dried) |
5.73 |
5.46 |
4.47 |
7.91 |
6.66 |
| Made-up textile
articles |
8.01 |
5.61 |
14.44 |
6.97 |
63.62 |
| Wooden Craft items |
3.36 |
3.48 |
4.13 |
4.41 |
5.36 |
| Processed Foods |
9.96 |
7.48 |
1.87 |
4.02 |
4.21 |
| Aquarium Fish |
1.74 |
1.96 |
1.75 |
3.71 |
14.91 |
| Paper & Paper
Products |
2.04 |
8.37 |
2.60 |
2.78 |
5.67 |
| Essential oils |
6.78 |
4.21 |
8.26 |
1.76 |
1.12 |
| Coconut Fresh
nuts |
0.35 |
0.88 |
0.12 |
0.81 |
1.39 |
| Ceramic Porcelain Products |
2.51 |
2.72 |
0.39 |
10.003 |
0.28 |
| Others |
94.81 |
96.90 |
113.15 |
451.16 |
592.88 |
Major Imports from Switzerland (1997)
| Product |
Value (Rs. mn) |
| Building Materials |
2,043.54 |
| Intermediate goods |
748.17 |
| Textile and Clothing |
377.68 |
| Machinery and Equipment |
311.93 |
| Consumer goods (Other) |
279.10 |
| Medical and Pharmaceutical Products |
139.27 |
| Dying, Tanning and Colouring Materials |
111.19 |
| Investment goods (other) |
73.02 |
| Chemical elements & Compounds |
68.08 |
| Food |
61.18 |
| Fish (Other) |
44.49 |
| Transport Equipment |
17.11 |
|
Other Potential Products from Sri Lanka
Post Market Development activities carried out by Sri Lanka in Switzerland
EDB has organized Sri Lanka’s participation at international
trade fairs in Switzerland in the recent past. |
