ic representation:
Ambassador Edouard BRUNNER; Chancery at 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 745-7900; there are Swiss Consulates
General in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San
Francisco
US:
Ambassador Joseph B. GILDENHORN; Embassy at Jubilaeumstrasse 93, 3005 Bern;
telephone [41] (31) 437-011; FAX [41] (31) 437-344; there is a Branch Office
of the Embassy in Geneva and a Consulate General in Zurich
Flag:
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not
extend to the edges of the flag

:Switzerland Economy

Overview:
Switzerland's economic success is matched in few other nations. Per capita
output, general living standards, education and science, health care, and
diet are unsurpassed in Europe. Economic stability helps promote the
important banking and tourist sectors. Since World War II, Switzerland's
economy has adjusted smoothly to the great changes in output and trade
patterns in Europe and presumably can adjust to the challenges of the 1990s,
particularly to the further economic integration of Western Europe and the
amazingly rapid changes in East European political and economic prospects.
After 8 years of growth, the economy experienced a mild recession in 1991
because monetary policy was tightened to combat inflation and because of the
weak international economy. In the second half of 1992, however, Switzerland
is expected to resume growth, despite inflation and unemployment problems.
GDP growth for 1992 may be just under 1%, inflation should drop from 5.9% to
3.5%, and the trade deficit will continue to decline after dropping by over
15% to $5 billion, due to increased exports to Germany. Unemployment,
however, is forecast to rise to 1.6% in 1992, up from 1.3% in 1991 and 0.5%
in 1990.
GDP:
purchasing power equivalent - $147.4 billion, per capita $21,700; real
growth rate -0.2% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.9% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
1.3% (1991)
Budget:
revenues $24.0 billion; expenditures $23.8 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1990)
Exports:
$62.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metal products, foodstuffs,
textiles and clothing
partners:
Western Europe 64% (EC 56%, other 8%), US 9%, J