Markus Herrmann and Michael Settelen, Co-Heads of the foraus Asia program and coaches during the Policy Cooking workshop in Zurich have come up with a few bullet points that, in addition to the publication with 12 policy action domains, can be used to kickstart the interest mapping / ideation process on the challenge.
Swiss foreign economic policy (effectiveness & execution)
− Bilateral
- FTA, IPA, Finanzplatzabkommen, RMB-Hub
- Access to counterparts: dialogue architecture (right dialogues, effective/productive) discussions
- Coordinated approach internally (thorough understanding of Swiss economic interests on sectoral/horizontal issues → associations)
- Multilateral
- WTO → reciprocity/market access incl. IP, JV-law, etc.; regionale Tradeblocs, RCEP, CPTPP → understanding the currently weak WTO
Support for businesses venturing to China (Market Access, Level Playing Field)
− Thorough understanding of market developments, opportunities and challenges (market access, technology transfer requirements, public procurement, IP protection) for Swiss businesses → export promotion mandate Switzerland Global Enterprise, IP Dialogue
− Sectoral / horizontal issues for Swiss businesses in CN? IP, Public Procurement
− Business opportunities? (cleantech, fintech, e-commerce, BRI?)
Attracting CN investments to Switzerland
− Thorough understanding of Chinese interests in the Swiss economy (sectoral investments, greenfield and Mergers and Acquisitions) needed → IP mandate Switzerland Global Enterprise
− What investments needed/wanted, is there a need for screening? → innovation, succession planning, financing
Possible immediate avenues of action (Swiss capabilities)
− Switzerland Global Enterprise, Associations
Business / market opportunities
- climate/green technology
- Chinese initiatives (e.g. BRI, China International Import Exposition, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- eCommerce?
Policy challenges / systemic differences
− State-led capitalist model (no level playing field, SOEs, no reciprocity, strategic M&A, technology transfer, ...) and industrial policy programs (MiC 2025, ...) → Swiss (non-)response vs. other countries’ response (UK, Germany, ...)