Responses from the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry to questions
posed by exclusiv magazine

The future of trade and industry
in the Principality of Liechtenstein
as far as the EU/EEA is concerned?

Europe’s development has shown that the commercial Europe is evolving substantially faster than the political Europe.

As a small state, Liechtenstein certainly has a modest role in Europe, but it knows how to repeatedly generate a strength from the smallness. In this connection Liechtenstein should draw attention to itself as a dependable partner. As a result, the competition will increasingly come into play within the economic regions - without consideration of borders and between the individual locations themselves.

A solid network of relations, flexible and streamlined structures, innovation and a solution-oriented way of thinking will be needed within the economic regions so that the companies will be able to assert themselves on the market. But the prevailing locational conditions play a particularly decisive role in the competition between the regions. The state assumes an essential role in this connection. The state has to understand how to respond to the requirements of trade and industry, to actively and permanently scrutinise them, and to respond to these requirements there where it is necessary.

Good locational factors as the basis
for the success of trade and industry
in the Principality of Liechtenstein?

The locational factors will assume an important role in the future. We must continue to provide good outline conditions for our existing companies. But this entails not just low taxes or bearable burdens in the sphere of social insurance, but also a streamlined and customer-oriented administration, an open labour market or also a workable infrastructure. For our companies it is important that we get a grip on the regulatory density. The administrative burdens are becoming larger and larger, and thus diminish the actual productivity. The education system will assume a decisive role in the future. On the one hand we need qualified employees, whereas on the other hand we also have a societal responsibility and are called upon to create perspectives for all young employees.

Growth and market development
in the economic location
Principality of Liechtenstein?

Not growth above all else, but rather qualitative growth has to be of immediate importance. A prerequisite for qualitative growth, and thus for a healthy market development, is primarily the free access to the markets. But growth also presupposes a corresponding degree of innovation and training status in the companies.

We should invest in these two sectors in the future. Moreover, it is necessary that we are able to retain our diversified economic location. For a healthy and stable economic development it will be necessary to bundle strengths so that we acquire mutually appropriate opportunities for ourselves.

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