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Swiss Economic Forum and meeting with Katalin Novák
At the Kursaal in Interlaken, Alain Berset opens the 25th Swiss Economic Forum, owned by the NZZ, before some 1,350 business leaders. “Wir sind über alles informiert – aber wir fühlen uns zunehmend orientierungslos.” War in Europe, the rise of authoritarian states and the erosion of the post-war liberal order leave Switzerland facing a clear choice: to defend international law, on which a small, open country depends.
At home, he calls for restoring trust between business and politics, lost since the 2008 financial crisis. He invokes Adam Smith, born 300 years ago: the author of “The Wealth of Nations” also wrote “The Theory of Moral Sentiments”. “Keine Gesellschaft kann blühend und glücklich sein, in der der weitaus grösste Teil der Mitglieder arm und elend ist.” He cites the near-monopolies of the digital giants and the weight of lobbies in healthcare. Then he answers questions from the moderator, Urs Gredig.
On the sidelines of the forum, he receives Hungarian President Katalin Novák, a guest of the NZZ. He welcomes the good bilateral relations and recalls the 87 million francs of the second Swiss contribution from which Hungary benefits. He also expresses concern at the discriminatory restrictions faced by several Swiss companies in Hungary, and calls for respect for the agreements and the protection of investments.
Speeches on this site
- Swiss Economic Forum 2023 (in German, French-language page)
Sources