14th SSF Security Talk | Security of Supply, 4 September 2023
Switzerland's prosperity and security of supply are very closely linked to global supply chains. Wars, conflicts, disasters, accidents and other "events" can suddenly affect or even completely disrupt supply chains. The consequences are supply bottlenecks, shortages of goods and rising prices. The consequences of dependence on certain countries and production plants are particularly evident in the area of pharmaceuticals, where for years medicines have been in short supply or no longer available at all, as most active ingredients and basic medical substances are now only produced in China or India. For this reason, countries such as the USA or France have begun to relocate the production of basic medical substances back to their own countries.
Under the buzzwords "de-coupling" or "de-risking", other industries are also trying to reduce their dependence, especially on China. Simon Evenett, Professor of International Trade and Economic Development at the University of St. Gallen, showed in his opening speech, however, that this "de-coupling" often only takes place on paper, but not in reality. At the same time, he pleaded for viewing security of supply not as a problem of globalisation, but as a problem of supply. History shows that opening up to the outside world and greater diversification have been much more effective than protectionism.
Hans Häfliger, the new Federal Commissioner for National Economic Supply, also emphasised the importance of provision in his first public appearance. At the same time, he made it clear that the economy is primarily responsible for national supply and that the FONES only intervenes in a subsidiary capacity. However, there is an important and well-rehearsed cooperation between the private sector and some authorities and sector specialists in Switzerland. One example of this is the minimum reserve system, which apparently attracts a lot of interest abroad.
In the following, highly exciting panel discussion, Dr Hans Häfliger was joined by other proven experts: Martine Ruggli, President, Swiss Pharmacists' Association pharmaSuisse, Dr Alexander Muhm, new Head of Freight Transport and Member of the Executive Board, SBB AG, and Rainer Deutschmann, Head of Security & Transport at Migros-Genossenschaftsbund. Three central topics were discussed: "Global supply chains and security of supply", "Focus on the supply of medicines" and "Crisis management and measures to increase security of supply". The insightful findings of the panel, which was followed by around 90 interested participants, can be found in the summary report.
Find the program of the event here.
Photo gallery:
(Photographer: Monika Flückiger)
