Trade access improved for developing countries

The government has revised tariff preferences for developing countries in an effort to open the Swiss market to goods from these nations.

Like other developed countries, Switzerland grants tariff preferences to developing countries via its generalised system of preferences (GSP). Since its most recent revision in 2007, Swiss GSP enables least-developed countries (LDCs) to export their products tariff- and quota-free to Switzerland.

In a statement on Wednesday, the government said the revised ordinance – which aims to boost the use of the Swiss GSP by developing countries – was due to enter into force on May 1.

According to provisional data, goods imported into Switzerland under the Swiss GSP last year amounted to SFr4.3 billion ($4.7 billion). This figure could have been SFr10.5 billion had all exporters potentially qualifying for the Swiss GSP made use of it.