Philipp M Hildebrand: Open world - Switzerland open to the world
Summary of a speech by Dr Philipp M Hildebrand, Member of the Governing Board of the Swiss
National Bank, at the Swiss Economic Forum, Thun, 7 May 2004.
The complete speech can be found in German on the Swiss National Bank's website (www.snb.ch).
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Globalisation - the worldwide exchange of production factors, goods, technologies and ideas - is a
process that has evolved in different ways and degrees ever since humankind can remember.
Technological progress is the actual driving force behind globalisation. It thus becomes possible to
reduce costs through increasing specialisation and the best use of comparative advantages. The
process of globalisation, however, is restricted to some extent by national and international legal
frameworks. Despite overall positive and widespread net effects, globalisation is, however, frequently
not accepted due to adjustment costs arising for certain global players.
With its successful export sector and its comparatively attractive local conditions, particularly the
excellent infrastructure and the flexible labour market, Switzerland has the potential to benefit from the
continuing globalisation in future as well. A necessary condition for this, however, is a rise in
productivity and, as a result, enhanced competitiveness of the domestic sector. With international
competitive pressure intensifying, insulating itself or merely adhering to the status quo are no options
for Switzerland in the long term. This would lead to considerable losses in social security and growth
and threaten the long-term survival of the country's social institutions.