Financing in Times of Uncertainty – Key Challenges Facing Swiss Exporters
In an increasingly volatile world economy, Swiss exporters face global economic headwind and feel the pressure to remain competitive. Geopolitical disruptions and trade tensions, a strengthening Swiss Franc and tariff wars create an investment-unfriendly environment.
This can also be monitored in the figures presented in Swiss Export Risk Insurance SERV’s annual report 2024, that paints a revealing picture of how Swiss exporters managed risk and were faced with challenges on the order intake side in international markets. The report shows that the insurance commitments in principle as well as new insurance policies for new business mark a 10-year low and the new insurance commitments in principle felt below the amount of CHF 1 billion. The drop is even more impressive in comparison to the year 2022 since the insurance policies issued almost halved from CHF 3.3 billion to CHF 1.8 billion. This unfortunate development is also confirmed by a more detailed analysis of the figures in SERV’s annual report. The report highlights that new commitments for SERV-backed medium-and long-term financial instruments in form of buyer and supplier credits dropped by more than 30% from CHF 1.9 to 1.3 billion last year.
The decline in these financing elements, which are usually used by Swiss exporters as a sales support tool, is an additional indication of the sharp decline in the sales from Swiss exporters. Based on our numerous discussions with exporters, we must assume that the picture has unfortunately not yet fundamentally improved in the first half of 2025.
As we move into the second half of 2025, uncertainty persists—but so does opportunity. In economically difficult times, companies question many things and often set the course for new strategic sales approaches and entry into new markets. With the right financial tools and risk mitigation strategies in place, Swiss exporters can continue to lead on the global stage.
At AIL Structured Finance, we work closely with exporters, banks, and SERV to structure tailored financial solutions that bridge the gap between opportunity and risk. What we observe is that Swiss exporters that understand the offering of long-term financing solutions for their products and services to their international customer base as an integral part of their comprehensive commercial offer have a strategic benefit and competitive advantage.
Offering financing directly increases deal closure rates, shortens sales cycles, and enhances buyer confidence. In many international tenders, Swiss exporters are not only competing on technology and quality, but also on how easily a buyer can finance the deal. Companies that proactively offer financing solutions increase their competitiveness, are more likely to win contracts abroad and are faced with less price pressure on their commercial offer.
By leveraging SERV coverage and partnering with AIL Structured Finance, Swiss exporters can present comprehensive, bankable packages that meet the financial needs of their clients, especially in emerging markets where access to capital is limited and expensive. The smart use and integration of such financing elements at the end can support sales activities and to refill the sales-pipeline of Swiss exporters.