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Swiss trade in services with foreign countries
SNB to expand its survey (serviceBOP project)  Background
The Swiss economy is strongly interconnected with the rest of the world. Foreign trade in goods is usually cited as evidence for this statement, since it is very well documented in statistical terms. By comparison, there is a relative dearth of information about Switzerland’s trade in services with foreign countries, although it represents a significant factor in the Swiss economy and has grown vigorously in the wake of globalisation. This has led to a shortage of information, since data on foreign trade in services are needed by companies, economic policymakers and public authorities as a basis for decision making and by research institutions for analytical purposes.
Collection of data in connection with balance of payments statistics
Switzerland’s trade in services with foreign countries forms part of the Swiss Balance of Payments, which is compiled and published by the SNB (for further information on the balance of payments see the annual and quarterly publications). The SNB’s current system of data collection on foreign trade in services is not comprehensive enough. To close the gaps, the SNB is expanding its survey through the serviceBOP project. In future, data for all service categories that are of relevance for Switzerland will be collected and compiled with a geographical breakdown. To make the data more representative, the reporting population will be expanded. Thanks to serviceBOP, companies and other economic agents will be able to gain a more comprehensive picture of developments in Swiss trade relations with regard to both imports and exports. Moreover, the SNB and the Confederation will be able to base their assessments of the economic cycle and economic developments on a more complete set of data.
Introduction in 2012
In the first half of 2010, the SNB will conduct a preliminary survey to select the companies that will, in future, be required to report data. The introduction of the expanded survey is scheduled for 2012. To facilitate the conduct of the survey, the SNB will activate a user-friendly online reporting system when the survey is launched.
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