Zürich/Basel, 1 March, 2012 – UBS Wealth Management Research now publishes the annual Cantonal Competitiveness Indicator (Kantonaler Wettbewerbsindikator or KWI). The indicator uses a multidimensional analysis to show the cantons' potential to sustainably raise their economic performance.
Against the backdrop of increasing international competition, regional economic conditions are gaining in significance. In particular, questions concerning the economic competitiveness of individual regions over the longer term are being asked over and over again. The KWI provides answers to these questions relating to the cantons of Switzerland. The cantons' profiles of strengths and weaknesses, on which the KWI is based, can also be used as basic tools for reaching regional strategic decisions.
The KWI is based on a comparative analysis of five dimensions relating to competitiveness: economic structure, companies, location, population and government. Each of the dimensions in turn consists of two competitiveness pillars. The KWI values for each of the cantons are determined based on these 10 pillars. The higher a canton’s KWI value, the more competitive it is relative to others.
The cantons of Zurich, Basel-Stadt and Zug have the highest relative competitiveness according to the latest KWI. The cantons of Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Lucerne and Nidwalden also show clearly above-average competitiveness. They are followed by a broad midfield with solid competitiveness, consisting of the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Schwyz, Bern, St. Gallen, Fribourg, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Solothurn, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Obwalden. Neuchâtel, Glarus, Ticino and Appenzell Innerrhoden are those cantons with moderate competitiveness, while Graubünden, Valais, Jura and Uri fall in the group of cantons with low relative competitiveness.
The 10-pillar KWI approach
The KWI is based on the comparative analysis of the following five competitiveness dimensions (see chart on next page): economic structure, companies, location, population and government. Each of these competitiveness dimensions is made up of two pillars. More than 50 variables, so-called growth drivers, figure in the evaluation of the 10 pillars.
Competitiveness profile of Canton Zurich
On the basis of these 10 pillars, UBS Wealth Management Research has created a profile of strengths and weaknesses for each canton. By way of example, the profile of the canton with the highest competitiveness is explained in brief below:
The profiles of all cantons can be viewed in the Cantonal Competitiveness Indicator report at the following link (only available in German and French): www.ubs.com/kantonalerwettbewerbsindikator-de and www.ubs.com/kantonalerwettbewerbsindikator-fr.
UBS AG
Contacts
Claudio Saputelli
Head WM Real Estate & Swiss Regional Research
Tel. +41 44 234 39 08 / +41 79 513 50 45
Elias Hafner
Economist WM Real Estate & Swiss Regional Research
Tel. +41 44 234 48 03
Dr. Matthias Holzhey
Economist WM Real Estate & Swiss Regional Research
Tel. +41 44 234 71 25
The Cantonal Competitive Indicator report can be viewed online at the following link (only available in German and French): www.ubs.com/kantonalerwettbewerbsindikator-de and www.ubs.com/kantonalerwettbewerbsindikator-fr.
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