A gift and a commitment
Bern, 10.09.2015 - Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER Nespresso plant inauguration, Romont
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let's face it - and I am sure my colleagues here in Fribourg will agree with me - when you are a member of government, and in particular minister of economic affairs, moments to celebrate are rather rare.
After all, it is easy to forget we exist when everything is going well and the economy is humming. But we are at the front of everyone's mind when the economy begins to splutter and factories lay people off rather than hire them.
All of this is to say how glad I am to be here with you in Romont. For it is truly a day of celebration for Romont and Glâne, for the canton of Fribourg, for Switzerland - for all of us. Thank you for inviting me to share this special moment with you.
It is a special moment because Nestlé has chosen to invest CHF 300 million and build a brand new plant here in Switzerland. It is a special moment because we are witnessing the creation of over 125 new jobs - not including those that will be created indirectly. It is a special moment because these are industrial jobs at a time when our country is experiencing an invisible but constant erosion in this area.
You are aware of the fact that the decision to choose Switzerland as this new site's location was not a foregone conclusion. Other European countries were serious contenders for a long time. Your cantonal and communal authorities worked hard for Romont to prevail - and now that day has come.
They managed to convince demanding decision makers whose headquarters are deeply rooted in Vevey, of course, but whose options are not limited to the Lake Geneva region - they span the globe. To convince Nestlé is to pass a demanding test. You have passed that test. And for this, I congratulate you.
The inauguration of this new plant is therefore a fine reward. But to accept this gift is also to accept a commitment. We politicians must commit to ensuring that the framework conditions that gave Switzerland a deciding edge do not deteriorate - but rather improve even further.
What are these framework conditions? I have always maintained that our economic success is based on three pillars:
- a liberal job market that gives the economy room to breathe. This ensures that businesses can adapt to the demands of a constantly changing environment;
- a lively social partnership based on mutual respect and communication. This guarantees that no one falls by the wayside;
- a first-fate professional and academic education and cutting-edge research. This promotes our innovative ability - which is our main fuel for competitiveness.
We must cultivate these values. Constantly. With attention, care and patience.
Conversely, there are also things that we must fight - relentlessly:
- Excessive taxation - obviously while ensuring that infrastructure, education and public services are properly funded, as they, too, contribute to Switzerland's appeal.
- Invasive bureaucracy. We must fight regulations whose intended effects are eclipsed by the disproportionately high costs required to implement them. Such regulations are a burden to our companies and our state and they undermine competitiveness.
This is how the job market can be maintained and developed. And this is what counts most for me as minister of economic affairs and labour.
But what about the strong franc, you might ask, and our relations with the European Union?
These are obviously our core concerns at the moment. But first of all: these matters are not entirely in our hands. The problem is more one of the weak euro than the strong franc. But there's no getting around it. We have to make the most of our strengths and become even more competitive. I am confident that we will succeed.
As for Europe, this much is clear: the people want immigration quotas - and yet we must preserve the bilateral agreements. Are these two irreconcilable concepts? Certainly. But ultimately, the European Union needs a solution too. I have every faith in our negotiators' ability to seize the moment.
These are all the efforts that go on behind the scenes to prepare an inauguration like the one we have the pleasure of experiencing today. So let us consider today a reward for our country’s efforts. But also an incentive to continue on this path so that company executives the world over will, just like Nestlé, say:
Switzerland. What else?
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