News

Instead of using more and more concrete and steel, a European research team including Empa is focusing on intelligent shapes, digital manufacturing, and alternative binders. The aim is to create a climate-friendly building material that is delicate yet stable – and can be custom-made using 3D printing, dismantled, and reused.

On 16 March, the seventh meeting of the Switzerland–Brazil Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation took place in Bern. The aim was to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in these areas and to set future priorities.

The Producer and Import Price Index fell in February 2026 by 0.3% compared with the previous month, reaching 99.5 points (December 2025 = 100). Pharmaceutical products and chemical products in particular saw lower prices. In contrast, petroleum products as well as petroleum and natural gas saw higher prices. Compared with February 2025, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products fell by 2.7%. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

The war in the Middle East is having a serious impact on the populations of Lebanon, Syria and Iran. In view of this situation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has set aside a humanitarian support package of CHF 6.5 million, which will focus on Lebanon and includes a regional component for Syria. The SDC will also release emergency aid for Iran.

Switzerland, together with other partner countries of the “Future of Investment and Trade Partnership” (FIT Partnership), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the rules-based trading system and to effective WTO reform. The adopted ministerial declaration sends an important signal in support of open and reliable global trade.

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2025.

With its new four-part coin series, “Swiss lakes”, Swissmint is portraying the diversity of Switzerland's lakes. The “Lake Geneva” special coin will add a third coin to the series on 19 March 2026.

“Hedgehog”, the latest special coin, is Swissmint's tribute to Pro Natura's Animal of the Year for 2026. Issued on 19 March 2026, this bimetallic coin showcases this threatened species.

Cinema attendance in Switzerland has fallen below the 10 million mark for the first time in almost half a century except during the pandemic years. The market share of American films has fallen sharply, while that of European and Swiss films has risen.These are some of the final results from the 2025 Swiss Film and Cinema Statistics compiled by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

At its meeting on 13 March 2026, the Federal Council approved the dispatch to Parliament on the stabilisation and further development of Swiss–EU relations package (Bilaterals III). The Federal Council's intention with this bill is to stabilise and future-proof the tried-and-tested bilateral approach with the EU. The package is in Switzerland's interest. It ensures the continuity of economic, scientific and social relations with the EU, Switzerland's most important trading partner. In view of the tense geopolitical situation, stable and reliable relations with neighbouring European countries are of strategic importance.

During its meeting on 13 March 2026, the Federal Council approved a total of four supplementary credits. It is thus requesting additional expenditure of CHF 98 million for this year. Most of these funds will go towards EU research and innovation programmes. A portion of the supplementary credits will be offset on the expenditure side.

New synthetic drugs can harbour considerable health risks – consumers cannot estimate the risks. To combat these designer drugs effectively, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) is adding further substances to the Narcotics List Ordinance with effect from 13 March 2026. This makes these substances subject to the Narcotics Act; their manufacture, trade and use are illegal.