Summary

The Federal Council opened the first consultation on location promotion 2028–2031 on 25 February 2026. Nearly 400 million Swiss francs are available for this period – a reduction of 5.2 percent compared to the previous period (2024–2027: 428.83 million CHF). The promotion focuses on three priorities: administrative relief for SMEs through digitalization, facilitation of access to international markets, and economic strengthening of all Swiss regions. The consultation runs until 1 June 2026.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collectively)

Topics

  • SME Policy
  • Digitalization
  • Export Promotion
  • Regional Policy
  • EasyGov.swiss

Clarus Lead

The Federal Council submits five financing resolutions totaling 392.21 million Swiss francs for location promotion 2028–2031. Despite budget reduction, location promotion will be continued and further developed through four instruments: SME Policy, tourism policy, regional policy, and export promotion and location promotion. Central to this is the expansion of digital services, particularly the transformation of EasyGov.swiss into a national marketplace for government services.

Detailed Summary

The consultation on location promotion is a novelty in Swiss economic policy and signals increased transparency in the design of promotion instruments. With a consultation period until 1 June 2026, cantons, associations, companies, and other stakeholders can contribute their positions – an opportunity for critical feedback on budget reduction and prioritization of individual measures.

The three priorities address central challenges: First, digitalization of government services is modernized to spare SMEs administrative burdens. EasyGov.swiss is to become the standard for "Digital Government" in Switzerland and strengthen networking between federal and cantonal authorities. Second, export promotion responds to volatile international conditions and increasing export barriers through targeted support for risk diversification and utilization of trade agreements. Third, all regions – including rural areas, mountain regions, and border regions – are to be economically strengthened to remain attractive places to live and work.

The budget reduction of 5.2 percent (from 428.83 to 392.21 million CHF) takes into account the relief package 2027 and excludes Covid/recovery special payments. This indicates savings requirements that could potentially reweight priorities and weaken individual measures.

Key Statements

  • For the first time, a consultation on location promotion is being conducted (consultation until 1 June 2026)
  • Budget 2028–2031: 392.21 million Swiss francs (5.2% reduction compared to 2024–2027)
  • Three priorities: SME digitalization, international market access, regional economic strengthening
  • EasyGov.swiss is being expanded into a national marketplace for digital government services
  • Export promotion is being strengthened in light of volatile conditions and export barriers

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What evaluation results from the previous period (2024–2027) justify the 5.2% budget reduction when new priorities (digitalization, international trade) are simultaneously to be expanded?

  2. Conflicts of Interest/Incentives: How is it ensured that export promotion and EasyGov.swiss development do not favor individual sectors or company size classes?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: Is the 5.2 percent reduction compensated by efficiency gains in digitalization, or do performance gaps emerge in underfunded areas such as regional policy?

  4. Feasibility/Risks: What coordination mechanisms between federal and cantonal authorities are planned to enforce EasyGov.swiss as a standard, and what risks arise from unequal implementation?

  5. Causality: How concretely will it be measured whether export promotion measures actually stabilize SME exports in volatile markets?

  6. Side Effects: Could the focus on digitalization and international markets disadvantage smaller, local SMEs that are not export-oriented?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Council Press Release: Location Promotion 2028–2031 – Published 25 February 2026

Supplementary Sources:

  • Ongoing consultations (SECO – State Secretariat for Economic Affairs)
  • Message on Location Promotion 2028–2031
  • Explanatory report on opening of consultation procedure (PDF, 1.38 MB)

Verification Status: ✓ 25.02.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 25.02.2026