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	SGCI Newsletter September 29th 2010 To whom it may concern The SGCI newsletter provides you with information regarding the standpoints of SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz on current political and social themes. Themes covered by this edition - Appointment of Dr. Daniel Vasella strengthens the Board of economiesuisse - Swissmedic strategy pursuing the right objectives - Rising electricity prices jeopardising competitiveness - Revision of the CO2 Act: additional, major adjustments required - Brazil: imminent deterioration in the area of taxation averted - PR China: commencement of negotiations on a free trade agreement - Sustainability and biodiversity as the basis for our activities - Strengthening the area of expertise in industrial biotechnology, nutrition and consumption - International Year of Chemistry just around the corner Appointment of Dr. Daniel Vasella strengthens the Board of economiesuisse In conjunction with Christoph Mäder, President of SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz, Dr. Daniel Vasella, as representative of SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz, is now providing an added boost to the Board of economiesuisse and consequently enhancing the interests of the chemical-pharmaceutical industry within the Swiss industry umbrella organisation. Swissmedic strategy pursuing the right objectives The strategy meeting between an SGCI delegation and Swissmedic at the beginning of September 2010 took place against the background of the increased pressure placed by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter on the Schweizer Heilmittelinstitut (Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products) not to continue the same approach as in the past. Swissmedic and the industry are fundamentally in agreement with regard to the strategy. On the question of implementation, resources and the future financing of Swissmedic, many questions remained unanswered. Clarification was still required with regard to the benchmarking of Swissmedic by comparison with the European drugs agency EMA. Rising electricity prices jeopardising competitiveness Electricity is a key production factor in our industry. The companies in the chemical-pharmaceutical sector are amongst the major consumers, accounting for approx. 20% of the total industrial electricity consumption. Rising electricity prices increase production costs and weaken competitiveness. Every additional rappen for electricity gives rise to additional costs of CHF 30 million per annum in our industry. The fact that the proposed increase is taking place in parallel with the rise in the value of the Swiss franc and during a period of continuing uncertainty about economic prospects is making the situation even more difficult. SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz is backing the call for the proposed increases in electricity prices to be cancelled. There is a simultaneous need for politicians to speedily clarify the future direction of policy in the electricity market. Revision of the CO2 Act: additional major adjustments required In the Summer session the Swiss National Council failed to take up the central concerns of the industry. In respect of the consultation in the Council of States, SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz is campaigning together with economiesuisse for the stipulation of the following conditions in particular: achieving the 20% reduction in emissions by 2020 must be possible with measures both in Switzerland and abroad; the previous mix of measures should be maintained but the proportion of potential compensation abroad significantly increased. In addition, companies should be able to decide for themselves whether they want to join the European Emissions Trading System ETS or not; compulsory membership is rejected. Brazil: imminent deterioration in the area of taxation averted for the time being At the beginning of July 2010 Dr. Beat Moser, Director of SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz paid a visit to Brazil together with an economic delegation headed by State Secretary Jean-Daniel Gerber. The discussions with high ranking government representatives reaffirmed the recent removal of Switzerland from the Brazilian list of tax havens. In return, Switzerland held out the prospect of willingness to enter into negotiations on a dual taxation agreement. The opportunity of the contacts was also taken to address pending questions relating to the protection of intellectual property rights and regulations on pharmaceutical companies. PR China: commencement of negotiations on a free trade agreement As a result of its significant market potential the PR China is today already a key trading partner for the chemical-pharmaceutical industry. SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz welcomes the signing of the Declaration of Intent which provides for the start of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Switzerland and the PR China. After both Switzerland as well as China had conducted their own feasibility studies the joint feasibility study was successfully completed mid August 2010. In the process SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz was able to communicate the viewpoints of the chemical-pharmaceutical industry at two workshops in Berne and Peking. Sustainability and biodiversity as the basis for our activities 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz supports the aims of the Biodiversity Convention (CBD). With a view to the international conference of the member countries in Nagoya in October 2010, SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz has defined its stance on the subject of access and benefit-sharing. The industry supports a transparent regime which is based on scientific foundations, provides flexibility and is able to be implemented internationally. Its aim should be to ensure access to genetic resources and to regulate a balanced distribution of the benefits which are derived from the utilisation of genetic resources. Strengthening of the expertise in industrial biotechnology, nutrition and consumption The Board of SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz has decided to create an industrial biotechnology, nutrition and consumption area of competence within the SGCI agency. In this way SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz is strengthening its efforts in support of industrial biotechnology. The intention is that this theme should no longer be addressed on a sectoral but an integrated basis, with the focus on technology acceptance. International Year of Chemistry 2011 just around the corner The General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation has declared 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry. The aim therefore is to promote the understanding amongst the general public for the importance of chemistry. In particular it is intended to demonstrate what role chemistry plays in the development of alternative energy sources, in securing food for a global population that is continually expanding, as well as other global challenges. The international 'kick-off' will take place at the end of January 2011 in Paris. The member companies of SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz are also called on to stage the events they plan for the year 2011 under the label and logo of the International Year of Chemistry 2011. More information about the International Year of Chemistry 2011 are available on the membernet of SGCI (query "IYC2011" on www.sgci.ch). Would you like to know more about our points of view or do you have any questions about them? Just contact our experts at SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz. Yours sincerely SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz Dr. Beat Moser Director Marcel Sennhauser Head of Communications SGCI Chemie Pharma Schweiz Central Association of the Swiss Chemical-Pharmaceutical Industry Nordstrasse 15 - Postfach CH-8021 Zurich Telephone +41 44 368 17 11 Facsimile +41 44 368 17 70 Email mailbox@sgci.ch Internet www.sgci.ch Wenn Sie den nächsten Newsletter in Deutsch erhalten möchten, antworten Sie uns bitte mit "Sprache wechseln".