Swiss small businesses sound optimistic note for exports

“The export climate will remain favourable for Swiss SMEs in 2019,” wrote the authors of a Switzerland Global Enterprise and Credit Suisse survey published on Thursdayexternal link.

The report said 56% of companies which had been surveyed expected exports to grow in the first quarter of 2019 and 77% expected an increase in exports during the year.

Their export barometer pointed to an optimistic mood among Swiss SMEs and a “return to normality”, but the record year of 2018 is “unlikely to be repeated”, it added.

The fastest-growing export markets are in Asia, with India representing the most attractive market, followed by the Philippines, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Credit Suisse economist Sascha Jucker noted: "The return to average long-term growth rates and so to normal service means that foreign demand for Swiss products remains solid.”