Amherds expert against shops Bazaar

you will be Criticized for years, the so-called Offset deals for arms purchases. However, only a few months ago, the Federal Council about this review. In October of 2018, he decided that arms companies that sell to the Swiss army, expensive weapons systems, are also intended to compensate for in the future, 100 percent of the purchase price against the stores. This means that The foreign defence company have to provide Swiss companies to the same extent orders, as it gets itself orders by the Swiss government.

But this sacred cow, the Swiss policy is now in question by Kurt Grüter. The retired top civil servants used to be Director of the Federal audit office (sfao), and has been responsible for this function once a critical report on the Offset transactions. Now, he has not written in behalf of the new defense Minister Viola Amherd (CVP), an opinion which is less critical.

In his 25-page paper Grüter refers to the counter transactions as "protectionism", even as "business Bazaar" contrary to the principle of free world trade. In addition, rule among experts about the costs and Benefits of a "numbers war". Sure is only, that the Offset transactions would increase the price of the Armor to be procured for the state, while their Use is often questionable.

Survival of Swiss arms company

Grüter has Benefits and costs created no own investigations. In essence, it summarizes the existing reports and assessments of supporters and critics. Based on this, Grüter, however, makes clear recommendations. Although he advises Federal councillor Eveline Amherd, to Offset transactions, they reduce substantially to your core idea.

And this core idea, Grüter, does not exist primarily to preserve jobs or to create. Rather, the purpose of the Offset transactions receive, in the domestic military industry – in the jargon, one speaks of the security-relevant technology and industry base (STIB).

This military industry, the benefits of direct Offset transactions. As an example, a foreign provider of the Swiss army sold a new tank, buy the gun tube, but in the case of a Swiss company. Such direct Offset transactions would require the Federal government still recommends Grüter, because they would ensure the Survival of Swiss arms companies and new Know-how.

to be Dispensed with, according to Grüter, however, to indirect Offset transactions, where foreign arms companies to give me any other Swiss companies orders. Grüter speaks of a "subsidy with a watering can". The bottom line is Grüter is recommended to require in the future from the supplier a compensation of 60 percent of the purchase price and not 100 percent as before.

Swiss economy escape billion-dollar contracts

Controversial are procure Grüters demands in terms of Air 2030, the largest arms deal of the Swiss military history: For a total of 8 billion Swiss francs, the Federal Council wants new fighter jets and ground-to-air missiles. If this sum of the Offset rate from 100 to 60 percent is reduced, the escape of the Swiss economy billions in orders.

the large volume of orders at Air 2030 tightened Grüters point of view, but the issue of Compensation. With such a high sum will be for the foreign provider is difficult to find in Switzerland a sufficient number of partners for business, he says, and expresses the fear that "transactions will not be credited to meet the requirements."

But that's not enough. Grüter even warns that it could be due to the high order sum in case of Air 2030 to bribery cases. Literally, he writes grow: "The risk of corruption in the placement of offset transactions." (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 02.05.2019, 08:35 PM