State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. SECO is the federal government's centre of expertise for all core issues relating to economic policy. Its aim is to ensure sustainable economic growth by putting in place the necessary regulatory and economic policy conditions.

Employers and employees should be able to benefit grom growth-oriented policies, the removal of barriers to trade, and the reduction of Switzerland's relatively high prices. On the domestic front, SECO acts as an interface between business, social partners and government. It supports the regionally and structurally balanced development of the economy and ensures the protection of employees. Through its labour market policy, it contributes to the prevention and tackling of unemployment and consequently to upholding social peace.

SECO also helps to ensure access to all markets for Swiss goods and services and investment. In terms of foreign trade policy, SECO is active in the formulating of efficient, fair and transparent rules for the world economy. Switzerland's relations to the European Union are coordinated by the Integration Office, a joint office of the FDFA and the FDEA. SECO is also involved in efforts to reduce poverty in the form of economic development cooperation.

The Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) affiliated to SECO is responsible for all accreditations in regulated and non-regulated fields.

www.seco.admin.ch/org