First consultation on location promotion
Der Bundesrat hat die Vernehmlassung zur Botschaft Standortförderung 2028–2031 eröffnet und plant dafür 392 Millionen Franken ein. Im Zentrum stehen die digitale Entlastung der KMU, bessere Exportchancen und die wirtschaftliche Stärkung aller Regionen.
For the first time, the dispatch on location promotion will be submitted to a consultation procedure, which will run until 1 June 2026. For the years 2028-2031, the Federal Council is requesting five financing decisions amounting to CHF 392.21 million, compared to CHF 428.83 million in the period 2024-2027. The instruments remain the same: SME policy, tourism policy, regional policy, export promotion and location promotion. The bottom line is that the budget, adjusted for special Covid payments and the 2027 relief package, will fall by around 5.2 percent.
Easing the digital burden on SMEs
One focus is on easing the administrative burden on SMEs by expanding digital government services. The core component is Easy-Gov.swiss, which is to be further developed into a marketplace for digital services from the federal government and cantons and positioned as a standard infrastructure for a “digital government” for companies. The aim is to simplify procedures, reduce duplication and ensure more efficient cooperation between the administration and business.
Access to international markets
Export promotion should provide SMEs with targeted support when entering new foreign markets and expanding existing ones. In an environment with increasing export hurdles and volatile framework conditions, there is a greater focus on information, advice, risk diversification and export risk insurance. At the same time, SMEs should be able to make better use of the opportunities offered by new and existing trade agreements.
Strengthening regions as economic and living spaces
The federal government wants to support economic development in all parts of the country with its location promotion. It promotes tourism destinations and economically oriented projects in rural and border regions. This enables them to remain attractive places to live and work. In this way, the Federal Council combines growth impulses for SMEs with balanced regional development.