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Export promotion: Bank and Ex-ambassador on board

The first project of Osec with private individuals, a database consultant for SMEs flourish, in the spirit of CEO Daniel Küng. Ex-Ambassador Thomas Borer-Fielding adorns the address register and the bank UBS is the new sponsor.

Alice Chalupny

Osec chief Daniel Küng has been able to span two valuable draft horses in front of his vehicle. The head of state export promotion organization for his "Osec Pool of Experts", a database consultant for SMEs, which UBS can win as a sponsor (see box). In addition, adorns the strategy consultant Thomas Borer-Fielding (49), former Executive man in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Swiss Ambassador to Germany, since last June, the address register of the pool. According to Borer profile offers an expert for the U.S., Britain, Russia and Germany services with a focus on financing and investment.

When asked about his commitment, Borer responded initially surprised. From his appearance as an expert, he knew nothing, he says, but then proposes a conciliatory tone: "I expect no new orders or mandates, but would like to support the network and thus the Osec." Borer was already at the kick-off of the pool in October 2005 occurred as a speaker. He feel an "emotional-state political solidarity" with the Osec, he confesses.

Realignment prepared

Borer was appointed in 1996 as Deputy General Secretary DFA with the reform of the current cumbersome Foreign and thought to also refocus the Osec. To the true interests of the business location Switzerland efficiently, the synergy between activities of EDA, the Federal Office for Foreign Economic Affairs, the Osec and used by Swiss Tourism better Borer struck before then. Unworldly diplomats should be customer-and business-managers trimmed, the DFA will be purified according to the bureaucratic ideas of New Public Management. Clearly, Borers style did not fit all employees.

Also Osec CEO Daniel Küng had to enforce its progressive ideas for now. At about internal resistance from the era of his predecessor Balz Hösly. Küng wants to distinguish itself in the large-scale reorganization of the Swiss trade instruments such as the Osec. For this he is driving a number of projects, such as the "Pool of Experts". Or contact points for the expansion of the Swiss SMEs, called "Swiss Business Hubs" which are primarily located in the Swiss embassies abroad. If Küng's work plans for reform, he can recommend to the Federal Council and Parliament to greater things.

The Federal Council is examining whether the three foreign instruments Osec, Sofi (investment) and Sippo (import promotion) to a comprehensive trade platform will be merged. In a first step let Economic Affairs Joseph Deiss in May 2006 found a rooftop club. If it comes to fusion, Küng is already considered top candidate for the CEO post.

EDA-Kenner Borer jedenfalls verteilt Küng gute Noten für seine bisherige Leistung. «Ich halte das Osec-Netzwerk für ein sehr gutes Instrument zur Förderung des Exports», lobt Borer. «Gerade KMU, die über keine oder wenig Auslanderfahrung verfügen und eine Anlaufstelle benötigen, finden mit der Osec eine qualifizierte Partnerin.»

With the bank and the ex-ambassador it would be possible to lure more users to the platform. Osec project manager, Katalin Dreher registered, although a growing number of experts - now nearly 300 consultants are listed, the end of May 2006, it only 200th But the number of visitors has stagnated in the same comparison period at 130 per day. This is despite the Osec has taken in the meantime, numerous marketing activities. "We were in the SME panels very active, have the online marketing developed and can be switched in the SME media advertisements," says Dreher. Nevertheless, the project manager is satisfied with the interim. be "We certainly make further progress, she believes.

Customers should be able to assess

Currently, although their websites, phone numbers and addresses are checked, the offered services is not. were problems with disgruntled users are not yet. "But we worried about this issue," admits Turner. You think about it, therefore, introduce a rating system that Osec customers to assess their service providers. When the assessment option is introduced, is still open.

The project of Osec

Directory for SME's searching for advisors

Joint Venture: The Pool of Experts is a joint project of the government export promotion organization Osec, the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce and the private service provider Fargate and Flare International. The joint venture, launched in October 2005, is regarded as a trial balloon of Osec CEO Daniel Küng, whose goal is to increase private and integrate Commerce in export promotion. By the end of 2007, the pool will be funded with money from the federal mandate of the - currently applies to the Osec about 17 million CHF per year.

Free database: The pool of experts offers entrepreneurs access to nearly 300 international experts to advise the experts at all kinds of questions and offer solutions. Use the search engine is free, the experts pay a fee for the listing. Performance and price of consulting customers and consultants to negotiate bilaterally.

The involvement of UBS

Partnership comprised of various projects

Purpose: Osec will strengthen the partnership with UBS, according to his own statements, "its position as the first address to the Swiss foreign trade promotion.

By the end of 2008: The Partnership Project takes the time being until the end of 2008 and may then be renewed for one year. One objective is the synergy of the know-how in matters of export and foreign trade and corporate finance.

Support: UBS is the Osec each support financially the Forum of Foreign Trade, the next time on 27 and 28 March 2007 will take place. Main focus is the Indian market. Also at other events work together to Osec and UBS. The bank also sponsors the numerous guided by Osec online platforms.