Stock Market Guide to the Swiss Exchange
The infrastructure of the financial market in Switzerland is known
as the
Swiss Value Chain. This infrastructure developed and implemented the
STP
(Straight Through Processing) system that restructured the framework of
the
automated systems, to meet international standards. This system reduces
the
cost of trade. The Swiss Value Chain is therefore the most efficient
system
in processing of securities in Europe.
Due to the success of the economy in Switzerland, the export and
import
market is very well balanced. The products that are imported
correspond
with the products that are exported, with varying amounts due to demand. International banking and trading facilities ensure a
strong
economy, as does the health care, education, living standards and
productivity of work. Switzerland has extremely low inflation rates and
minimal unemployment. Almost 20 percent of the current labor force
consists
of foreigners. Food products and raw materials are the most imported
items,
as Switzerland does not have many mineral resources. Tourism plays a
very
important role in the economy as it assists in balancing the trade
deficit
in Switzerland. The major trading partners in the import and export
market
are Japan, Italy, the US, France, Germany, the UK, Netherlands and
Austria.
Frequently imported and exported goods include watches, jewelry,
clothing,
leather, textiles, sand, stone, paper, tools, metals, vehicles and
machinery. The Swiss Exchange continues to play an integral role in the economy of Switzerland.