Oecd Economic Surveys: Switzerland 2007

His edition of OECD's periodic survey of the Swiss economy finds that recent developments paint a picture of continued strength, but a number of key challenges remain, including an enormous current accout surplus, making fiscal policy more supportive of economic growth, deficiencies in the regulation of goods and services markets and further raising the contribution immigration to prosperity.

Executive Summary Assessment and Recommendations Chapter 1. Macroeconomic Performance and Main Challenges -Recent Economic Development Paint a Picture of Contiued Strength -Macroeconomic Policy Must Aim to Head off a Rise in Inflation -Medium-Term Challenges in Fiscal Policy are Still Substantial -Productivity in Sectors Lacking in Competition is Holding back Growth Performance -Immigration Inflows have Sustained Labour Supply -Annex 1.A1. Progress in Structural Reforms Chapter 2. The Significance of Switzerland's Enormous Current Account Surplus -Recent Developments in Switzerland's Balance of Payments -What Could Be Causing this Huge Surplusoe -The Implications for Public Policy Chapter 3. Making Fiscal Policy More Supportive of Economic Growth -The Fiscal Framework Should Steer Public Finances onto a Sustainable Path -Social Spending Should be Better Contained -The Tax System Should be Modified to Safeguard Competitiveness and Reduce Distortions Chapter 4. Deficiencies i the Regulation of Goods and Services Markets Remain -Recent Reform in Competition Law and Competition Law Enforcement Needs to be Followed Up -Technical Barriers to Trade Can Still be Lowered -The Scope to Intensify Competition in Network Industries is Still Large -Public Procurement Markets Continue to be Geographically Fragmented -Agricultural Policy Generates High Costs for the Economy Chapter 5. The Contribution of Immigration to Prosperity can be Raised Further -Main Characteristics of the Trend in Migration Stocks and Flows -Migration Policy : In Search of Balance -Economic Aspects of Migration -Conclusions -Annex 5.A1. The Various Types of Migration Permits in Switzerland