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ZHAW, Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz and Verband für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften have published a new research paper on behalf of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and Development and Cooperation (DEZA) on the importance and value of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guiding principles for multinational businesses in Switzerland.

The research found OECD guiding principles to have less importance compared to other Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) standards, mostly because of missing promotion activities. However, this does not mean, that businesses are not actively participating in the realization of CSR. On the contrary, it has been pointed out, that 93% of the questioned companies try to get involved in environmental protection and approving working conditions. Around 35% even take specific action.

The CSR standards serve mostly as a source of inspiration and an orientation for a more concrete action.

Reports regarding the use of international standards of the 500 most high-selling Swiss companies as well as ten internationally active SMEs have been analyzed. Furthermore, multinational businesses based in Switzerland were asked to fill out a survey on the importance and value of the OECD guiding principles in comparison to other standards of corporate social responsibility. And lastly, interviews with delegates of selected businesses were conducted.

All in all, Swiss businesses do see potential for a stronger reinforcement of the standards and they admit to the benefits of it.

Full report
Importance and value of the OECD guiding principles for multinational businesses in Switzerland

ICC Switzerland strives to stimulate discussion and raise awareness on topics of current business interest. Our Chairman's Lunch took place at Restaurant «Belvoirpark», Zurich, on Tuesday 13 March 2018.

A substantial tax reform and the decision not to ratify the Trans-Pacific-Pact TPP as well as to leave the Paris Climate Agreement are landmark decisions in the first year of the Trump administration. What is the appreciation by US Business? What are the perspectives ahead of the USmid-term elections in November 2018? Which role will the US assume in the near future in the global economic framework? Is there room for a renewal of negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement between Switzerland and the US?

These are some questions which have been addressed at the Chairman’s Lunch. Peter Robinson, President and CEO of USCIB, has shared his thoughts to introduce the discussion.

The USCIB is the US Council of International Business. It is the affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD and the International Organization of Employers. It works to forge world business positions in support of U.S. corporate views on the key international policy issues.

• USCIB Responds to Announcement of New US Steel, Aluminum Tariffs
• USCIB Urges President Trump: Secure Growth Through Engagement

To stimulate and facilitate the exchange with International Organisations and the respective Diplomatic Representations in Geneva, ICC Switzerland continues its Geneva Business Dialogue with a series of high-ranking roundtables. The second of such discussions was on the topic of innovation with Francis Gurry, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO, as lead speaker.

HAVE WE REACHED «PEAK» GLOBALISATION?

Geneva, 17 October 2017

To stimulate and facilitate the exchange with International Organisations and the respective Diplomatic Representations in Geneva, ICC Switzerland continues its Geneva Business Dialogue with a series of high-ranking roundtables. The first of such discussions was on the future of globalisation with Prof. Carlos Braga as lead speaker.

The talk analysed what the recent trends in international trade, foreign direct investment, and technological innovation mean for the world economy. In particular, the presentation addressed to what extent the observed slow-down in some globalisation indicators (e.g., slow growth of international trade) can be explained by cyclical factors, or by changes in trade policies, or by geopolitical shocks (and economic uncertainty), or by structural developments such as the increased maturity of global value chains.

Panel Discussion with participation from the audience

• Milos Barutciski, Toronto
• Prof. Carlos A. Primo Braga, FDC, Brazil
• Ghislaine Weder, Head, Economics and International Relations, Nestlé SA
• Moderated by John Danilovich, Secretary General, ICC

Launch WEF/Global Alliance's 2016 Global Enabling Trade Report

The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016 co-published by the World Economic Forum and the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation was released earlier today.

ICC is one of the three host organizations of the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, along with the World Economic Forum and Center for International Private Enterprise. Together, with the governments of Australia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom and United States, we aim to leverage our shared networks and resources to support effective trade facilitation reforms measured by real-world business metrics. It is in this context that the Alliance has co-published the 2016 report.

ICC Switzerland supports the Company Tax Reform III. It creates an internationally accepted taxation system and preserves the competitiveness of Switzerland as a business location, especially for mobile business segments of international corporations. The proposal is balanced and creates legal certainty. And without the envisaged new instruments, Switzerland loses ground against important competitors.

ICC media release - Yes to the tax reform27/06/2017, 18:25