Clear advantages for the textile industry - Swiss Textiles supports contract package

The Swiss textile and clothing industry is closely linked to the European market. The EU accounts for around two thirds of the textiles and clothing imported and exported each year. This makes it by far the industry's most important trading partner. Research, development, production, distribution and recycling of a textile product often take place across borders. Value creation knows no borders.

"Future only with the bilateral approach"

For decades, the bilateral agreements have formed the backbone of economic cooperation with the EU - and therefore also the textile industry. Carl Illi, President of Swiss Textiles, puts it in a nutshell: "Switzerland as a centre of industry and our sector in particular only have a future if we continue along the bilateral path." Secure access to the EU single market is key. It enables companies to remain competitive.

The present Bilateral Agreements III package offers the opportunity to consolidate and further develop relations with the EU in the long term. Five reasons why Swiss Textiles fully supports the agreement:

1. Access to research secures innovation
   Full association with Horizon Europe enables Switzerland to continue researching pioneering solutions - from flame-retardant fabrics to medical filters and recyclable fibres. If this access is lost, the industry's innovative strength will be jeopardised.
   
2. Less bureaucracy thanks to mutual recognition
   Mutual recognition of product tests and technical regulations (MRA) means: once tested - recognised everywhere. This saves time and money and simplifies the export of, for example, medical textiles, machinery and personal protective equipment to the EU.
   
   
3. Security of supply thanks to the electricity agreement
   Textile companies require a stable energy supply - for example for dyeing or coating processes that require constant temperatures for hours or even days. The electricity agreement guarantees this supply and at the same time creates leeway thanks to the planned liberalisation: companies can choose freely between the offers or remain in the basic supply.
   
   
4. Access to skilled workers
   Almost 40 per cent of employees in the textile and clothing industry come from the EU. The free movement of persons is therefore not a luxury, but a necessity. At the same time, viable domestic policy solutions are needed to ensure that immigration remains socially balanced.
   
   
5. Clear rules, more security
   The institutional elements give companies more legal clarity when applying or further developing existing agreements. This strengthens small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, which depend on reliable framework conditions.

Between scepticism and reality: Swiss Textiles relies on facts

Swiss Textiles has examined the agreement and exchanged views with its member companies, which recognise the clear benefits. While the economy - particularly with regard to the issue of skilled workers - clearly supports the agreement package, parts of the population in Switzerland are sceptical. There are major concerns about migration policy. And they must be taken seriously.

This makes a fact-based, objective and pragmatic discourse on emotionally charged topics such as immigration all the more important. This is the only way to achieve a healthy balance between social and economic interests. This task does not lie with Parliament alone. It lies with all of us who are committed to a sustainable Switzerland. That is why we, as a business association, are taking a resolute approach and are voting clearly and unanimously in favour of the agreement.