Swiss export controls on dual-use equipment adequate, says auditor
Equipment that can be used for both civilian and military purposes is one area that is testing Swiss neutrality.
Gaetan Bally
The export of Swiss equipment that can be used for both civilian and military purposes is being properly controlled, according to the Federal Audit Office (FAO).
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
العربية
ar
الرقابة السويسرية على الصادرات ذات الاستخدام المزدوج تتم بشكل ملائم
Part of Switzerland’s sanctions measures have imposed a ban of dual-use equipment exports to Russia. Swiss neutrality is also being tested by the use of its manufactured goods in Ukraine.
Switzerland exported CHF2.7 million worth of dual-use goods to Ukraine in the fourth quarter of 2022 and CHF4.5 million in the first three months of this year, the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper reported in May. This is much higher than the few thousand francs exported in the first quarter of 2022.
At the same time, exports of dual-use goods to Russia fell. Exports were only worth CHF190,00 in the most recent quarter compared to CHF5.6 million in 2022.
The FAO on Wednesday said export controls, imposed by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) and policed by customs, are fit for purpose under the current conditions.
Seco has issued an average of 1,744 dual-use permits each year worth around CHF3 billion ($3.4 billion) and rejected two or three export requests per annum. Customs blocked some three percent of exports, the report stated.
Cooperation between Seco, customs and the intelligence service is also deemed efficient. A new digital system to track goods, which went online in June, is expected to aid the risk analysis of exports.
The trade in armaments and dual-use goods is worth an annual CHF35 billion to Switzerland and supports 137,000 jobs, according to Seco.
More
More
Tracking Western parts in Russian weapons used against Ukraine
This content was published on
Experts say components made by Western firms have been found in drones and missiles used by Russia against Ukraine. Here’s what we know.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Swiss town rejects surveillance cameras at train station
This content was published on
Vevey does not want the station area to be monitored by cameras. In a vote held on Sunday, the population rejected a plan to install 44 cameras in the area in order to combat street dealing.
Palestine demo broken up at Israel-Switzerland basketball match
This content was published on
Around 150 pro-Palestine activists tried to force their way into Switzerland's match against Israel at the U-19 World Cup in Lausanne.
Swiss foreign minister: ‘EU was only given what was necessary’
This content was published on
After negotiating hard on the package deal with the European Union and finding a balance, Switzerland gave the EU only what was needed, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said on Saturday.
Passenger dies in helicopter crash on Swiss glacier
This content was published on
A helicopter crashed in the Fusshörner region on the Oberaletsch Glacier in canton Valais on Saturday afternoon. The passenger in the helicopter, which was carrying three people, died.
Abbot of Saint-Maurice steps down following sex abuse report
This content was published on
Jean Scarcella has decided to step down as Abbot of Saint-Maurice in the Swiss canton of Valais, the abbey announced on Saturday.
Philipp Matthias Bregy named new president of Centre Party
This content was published on
Valais National Councillor Philipp Matthias Bregy is the new President of the Centre Party. The delegates elected him as the successor to Gerhard Pfister on Saturday in Bern without discussion.
Global call for active neutrality launched from Geneva
This content was published on
A number of players have launched a worldwide appeal for active neutrality in Geneva at a time when the major powers are taking a tougher line. The city is competing with Vienna to attract an international congress on this issue in 2026.
Swiss exports of dual-use goods to Ukraine increase sharply
This content was published on
Official statistics show that Swiss exports of dual-use goods to Ukraine have risen significantly in the first quarter of 2023.
This content was published on
The demining foundation Digger has criticised Switzerland's strict export regulations, which penalise it for supplying material to Ukraine.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.