Economic: Swiss Finance chiefs are worried

in the face of international tensions and uncertainties of the EU-Commission in the current year, of a weaker economic growth in the Eurozone.

The gross domestic product (GDP) will rise in the 19 States of the monetary Union this year by only 1.2 percent, informed the authorities in Brussels on Tuesday. In February you had screwed up your expectations of 1.9 percent to 1.3 percent. Due mainly to the slowdown in the global economy and increasing international trade conflicts, especially between the United States and China.

"The European economy is proving resilient in the face of a less favourable external environment," said the EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. The growth will continue in all the States, especially because of strong domestic demand and rising employment. From the point of view of the EU Commission, the risks are on the increase. The danger of a chaotic Brexits, as well as a weakening economy in important growth markets, especially in China.

Swiss Finance bosses worried

The mood of Swiss CFOs has deteriorated, with a view to the development of the economy. In particular, geopolitical risks and concerns about a slowing domestic demand weigh on the minds, as the semi-annual CFO survey by the consulting firm Deloitte shows.

Although the views of 53 percent, a majority of the CFOs surveyed concerning the domestic economy optimistic about the future. However, the CFOs have reduced their expectations for the second Time in a row back, say it in a message to the survey from Tuesday.

Also in terms of business Outlook is the highlight in the past. Only a small majority (3%) of the respondents in comparison to the autumn survey, with an improvement in.

Additional investments

Despite the apparently darker clouds on the Economic horizon will want to invest in the Swiss financial leaders and staff. 83 percent of respondents see organic growth for the next twelve months as a strategic priority. Of great importance also in the digital Transformation (79%), savings (76%) or new products (75%).

On the worry barometer of the financial heads of the shortage of skilled workers and the exchange rate out of the Top-5 are, meanwhile, have fallen. New on the top of the geopolitical risks, especially the unclear Situation around the Brexit often than risk of is called.

digitization as an opportunity

The concern that the weakness in demand in the domestic and technological change barometer to follow in on the other places. The digitization is also seen as an opportunity. "Swiss CFOs put even more than their European colleagues on digitization, in order to make your company more resilient," says Alessandro Miolo, the Deloitte survey in Switzerland.

While in Switzerland in terms of the Digiatlisierung most of the increase in the efficiency in the foreground, Europeans were more on customer-oriented programs, in order to make the company more robust. The wider application of the digitalization, but both in Switzerland and in Europe, too, potential, believes Miolo.

for the First time, the CFOs were also asked about their interest rate expectations. Accordingly, 41 percent of respondents expect to see in this country and also in two years with negative interest rates, while 28 percent expect zero interest rates.

(oli/sda)

Created: 07.05.2019, 15:27 PM