At the conclusion of its annual consultations with the Swiss authorities and the private sector, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published its assessment. According to this, the Swiss economy has proved resilient in a challenging environment. However, for 2023, the IMF expects that growth in Switzerland will slow to 0.8% and that inflation will remain above 2%. Given the global economic situation and the risks stemming from the financial markets, Switzerland’s budgetary, monetary, and financial sector policies were appropriate. The IMF acknowledged the authorities’ decisive action concerning the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS.
The report also highlights the need for financial stability, as shown by the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS. The IMF recommends that the Swiss authorities closely monitor the merger and review financial market regulation and oversight.
Switzerland’s initiatives to prevent climate change and ensure energy supply are also mentioned in the report. The IMF stresses the importance of maintaining financial stability and discusses old-age pension reforms and the labor market situation. Finally, the IMF suggests that Switzerland should continue to maintain orderly relations with the EU to avoid potential disruptions to global value chains that could harm the country’s growth outlook.