The 25th Swiss Economic Forum SEF at Interlaken BE: The real stars of the economy are the little ones

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It’s always refreshing to hear entrepreneurs from the Swiss SME world at the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF). The contrast between economists and central bankers sitting at the same time in the convention center at Interlaken BE could not be greater.

Here are Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas (55), chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Thomas Jordan (60), President of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), who are seriously talking about the state of the economy.

SME representatives are there Sandra Banholzer (46), CEO of Rausch, Peter Jakob (66), head of Jakob Rope System from Trubschachen BE, and Beat Röthlisberger, CFO of Röthlisberger joinery. Listening to these real stars of the Swiss economy, the question comes to mind: The crisis – which crisis?

skeptics…

There would be enough dark clouds on the horizon – and not just in the sky above Interlaken before a storm broke out. IMF economist Gourinchas warns that central bankers should not go too far in raising interest rates to fight inflation. But Jordan warns there’s little point in waiting too long and then tackling higher inflation with even higher interest rates.

Even the little ones have to struggle, but that’s exactly what drives them to peak performance. Rausch boss Banholzer explains how some ingredients of natural cosmetics were depleted during the pandemic. And struck gold with local farmers. Not for the ingredients we were looking for, but for a brand new sap from young apples that would normally rot in unripe soil.

… and lights of hope

Jakob, who manufactures wire ropes and rope nets with his company in Trubschachen, does not want to whine either. Upper Emmental, where the company is headquartered, is one of the economically weakest regions of Switzerland. He prefers to talk about how privileged we are in this country. And how it built a comfortable production facility years ago thanks to forward-looking investments in Vietnam. The benefit: While other companies were shut down during the quarantine, their employees lived and worked on the site for twelve weeks.

Struggling with the shortage of skilled workers like others, Schreiner Röthlisberger praises the healthy culture of discussion in the family business that makes it possible to talk openly behind closed doors and then step forward again.

After all, Jordan can report that the rescue of CS International was greatly appreciated. A plus point for Switzerland.

Source :Blick