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Editor: FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS DEA / eVantiSME ONLINE SME ONLINE

ON TARGET

Online -Services

for SME

EDITION 2005ON TARGET ONLINE -SERVICES FOR SME

EDITION 2005

Dear entrepreneurs,

Today the world wide web is at the service of

enterprises too – if you know where to fi nd the

necessary information via internet.

The second edition of this brochure contains the

online services of the Federal Administration, together

with several other useful internet portals.

I am very pleased to hand this guide to the virtual

counters of the authorities over to you. And I trust that

you will enjoy a successful surfi ng through the net.

SME ONLINESME ONLINE Page

Table of contents

General Information

KMUinfo ………………………………………………...………………………………

Social security

Guide BSV ……………………………………………………………………………..

Taxes

FTA …………………………………………………………………………………………..

GS1 Switzerland ………………………………………………………………..

Business Information

Zefi x …………………………………………………………………………………………

Sogc …………………………………………………………………………………………

e-ofcom ………………………………………………………………………………….

eSurvey …………………………………………………………………………………..

Foreign Trade

Osec …………………………………………………………………………………………

Erg …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Irg ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Sofi …………………………………………………………………………………………..

Sippo ……………………………………………………………………………………….

Innovation

CTI ……………………………………………………………………………………………

IGE ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Medtech / Biotech ……………………………………………………………..

Euresearch ……………………………………………………………………………

Setting up of a company

KMUadmin ……………………………………………………………………………

KTI Start - up ………………………………………………………………………...

04…05

06…07

08…0910…11

12…1314…1516…1718…19

20…2122…2324…2526…2728…29

30…3132…3334…3536…37

38…3940…41

Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss

Head of the Federal Department of

Economic Affairs

ON TARGET ONLINE -SERVICES FOR SME

ON TARGET ONLINE -SERVICES FOR SME EDITION 2005

www.kmuinfo.chSME ONLINE

04

The Portal for Entrepreneurs

KMUinfo is a treasure trove of information concerning the running of a company: from starting up to electronic business models, from fi nancial questions to social insurance.

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05

KMUsupportKMUsupport enables a quick and precise search for services for enterprises in the three categories support / business deve-lopment, fi nancing /prices, links /documentation.

eXperienceHere you can fi nd out how the «e» works out, and how companies plan their E-business or E-procurement applications.

Further Information:State Secretariat for Economic AffairsPhone 031 323 77 [email protected]


SME ONLINE

06 www.ofas.admin.ch/ kmu-ratgeber

For Protection and Provisions

The guide offers help to SMEs with questions about social security and shows ways of solving problems. The guide of the Federal Social Insurance Offi ce was put into effect together with the seco and the Swiss Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SGV).

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ServiceUseful tools like wages slips, specimen letters, legal means, address or headword index.

From Case to CaseEvents in the company and their consequence on the various insurances: Employment, death, changes in wages, short time, retirement, motherhood etc.

GuideThe individual social insurances (from Old age, survivors’ and invalidity insurance AHV to additional insurances) with important information for SMEs.

Further Information:Federal Offi ce for Social SecurityPhone 031 322 90 11


SME ONLINE

08 www.estv.admin.ch

Optimising Taxes – but in a Legal Way

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) is the national competence centre for taxes. Among other things the portal informs about Value Added Tax, federal direct tax and anticipatory tax.

International Tax ComparisonHow high is the tax burden of Swiss companies and private persons compared with other countries and com-paring different cantons? The pages of the tax statistics and documentation inform in a comprehensive way.

VAT-ReviewA VAT- inspector has made an appointment with you. Here you fi nd out how a VAT- review takes place and how you can help to make this check go fast and smoothly.

Legal Advice concerning VATWe shall publish your questions in the internet so that everybody can profi t from our legal advice.

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Further Information:Swiss Federal Tax AdministrationPhone 031 322 71 [email protected]


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10 www.ean.ch | www.gs1.ch

VAT – Without Paper

The non -profi t organisation GS1 Switzerland offers electronic certifi cates for the pre -tax deduction which are recognised by the Federal Tax Administration.

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GS1 Switzerland as a Registration Offi ceGS1 Switzerland is the offi cial registration offi ce; it coordinates the issuing of the certifi cates. With its completely electronic conducting of business processes, Switzerland puts itself at the front of the European E-business movement.

Electronic Certifi cates are Recognised as EvidenceYou can obtain digital certifi cates from us with which you can conduct the VAT- pre -tax deduction electronically.

Further Information:GS1 SwitzerlandPhone 061 338 70 [email protected]


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For Security in Business Transactions

Searching nationally – fi nding cantonally: With zefi x you can look for all the enterprises which are listed in the cantonal commercial registers of companies and fi nd out who your business partners are.

SME ONLINE

12 www.zefi x.admin.ch

Finding the Answers Quickly and ComfortablyWould you like to fi nd out who pulls the strings in your partner company, whether a contract is legally signed or would you like to read the publications of the com-mercial registers of companies?

Research for the Setting up of a BusinessDoes your company name already exist? A short inquiry makes sure.

Extracts from the Commercial Registers of CompaniesYou can order certifi ed extracts from cantonal commercial registers of companies online.

Further Information:Central Business Names IndexPhone 031 322 41 96 [email protected]


SME ONLINE

14 www.shab.ch

Do you know the Environment of your Company?

Trade publications, bankruptcies and calls to creditors, as well as publications about trademarks and companies. Here you fi nd daily updated offi cial information about your company’s environment.

Retrieving Data Quickly and ComfortablyWould you like to fi nd out when a company was founded or are you interested in the annual balance sheet of a bank? All the publications of the Swiss Offi cial Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) can be retrieved easily and free of charge.

Electronic Submission of Reports You can submit your reports directly to us by means of interactive forms.

Subscription ServiceYou can order the SOGC here – for a trial period if you like.

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Further Information:Swiss Offi cial Gazette of Commerce Phone 031 324 09 [email protected]


SME ONLINE

16 www.e-ofcom.ch

Communication anytime and anywhere

On www.e-ofcom.ch entrepreneurs can acquire phone numbers like added-value service or free numbers. The site also informs about telecom service providers and their services.

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Ordering a Service-NumberUnder this heading you get a free of charge-number or a service - number for your charged services.

Search for owners of numbersWho uses which numbers? The site www.e-ofcom.ch/liste offers information about users of free numbers (0800), added-value service numbers (0900, 0901, 0906) or numbers with shared costs between provider and user (084x).

Telecom Service ProvidersMobile radio, satellite services or WLAN: here you fi nd all the telecom service providers at a glance.

Further Information:Federal Offi ce of CommunicationsPhone 032 327 55 [email protected]


SME ONLINE

18 www.statistics.admin.ch

Reliable Data – Always up -to - date

Direct access anytime to the latest fi gures of the Swiss economy and society. Reference numbers, the latest press releases and detailed data records on request.

Press ReleasesOnce or twice a week the latest statistical data and reports.

Up -to - date data and reportsWorking world, consumer -, producer-, import -price - indexes, economy and services, building and living and many other topics.

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Further Information:Swiss Federal Statistical Offi cePhone 032 713 60 [email protected]


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20 www.osec.chSME ONLINE

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Your Guide to Foreign Business

Companies from Switzerland and Liechtenstein who are interested in expanding into foreign markets fi nd here the answers to their questions about export and external economic affairs.

Information on Countries, Branches of Industry and other TopicsHere we present a wealth of information from the world of external economic affairs, markets, customs and import regulations, taxes and much more.

Euro Info Center SwitzerlandThis is probably the most comprehensive Swiss data source for information about accessing the markets of the EU and EEA.

All the Services at a GlanceOsec advice for almost every step in expansion: from the fi rst gathering of information to the search for a business partner.

Further Information:Business NetworkSwitzerlandPhone 0844 811 [email protected]


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23SME ONLINE

22 www.swiss - erg.com

For Safe Exports

www.swiss - erg.com informs you about the most important Swiss export facilitating instrument. You can download application forms or calculate the charges for your export risk guarantee (ERG) online.

The View into the World of the Export Risk GuaranteeGet an overview over the ERG, our services and our philosophy on conducting business.

The Gate for Export and BanksWhich countries qualify for cover? For which banks can the delcredere risk be covered? Here you can obtain information on the export country for your export goods.

News TickerThe news ticker always informs about the latest developments including those in our cover policy.The electronic newsletter automatically keeps you up -to -date.

Further Information:Swiss Export Risk GuaranteePhone 044 384 47 77offi [email protected]


SME ONLINE

24 www.swiss-irg.com

For Investments into the Markets of Tomorrow

www.swiss- irg.com comprehensively informs you about the Swiss Investment Risk Guarantee (IRG). It promotes and facilitates investment projects in developing countries.

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Our ProductWe cover political risks like nationalisation, war, risk of transfer. Here you get information about our services and about the amount of the guarantee sum.

ChargesAccording to the form of investment different charges apply.

FormsDownloading, fi lling in, faxing. Fast and unbureaucratic.

Further Information:Swiss Investment Risk GuaranteePhone 044 384 47 77offi [email protected]


SME ONLINE

26 www.sofi .ch

For Future Partnerships

The Swiss Organisation for Facilitating Investments (SOFI) offers fi rms the full range of services they require to invest successfully in economies under development and in transition: from the birth of an investment idea to the implementation of an investment project.

ServicesSOFI helps you to develop your investment and market entry strategies. We support you in preparing your business plan and getting access to fi nancing. We assist you in fi nding a business partner and in joint negotiations.

Seco Start-up Fund (SSF)The SSF provides you with a credit of half a million Swiss francs or fi fty percent of your project costs for the fi rst three years of project operation in selected countries.

Supported ProjectsFind out more about the projects that SOFI has supported.

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Further Information:Swiss Organisation for Facilitating InvestmentsPhone 044 249 45 65contact@sofi .ch


SME ONLINE

28 www.sippo.ch

Building Bridges for Import Companies

The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) acts on behalf of the Federal Administration. It is building bridges between small and medium sized export companies in economies under development and import companies in Switzerland.

Online-MarketplaceYou can fi nd the new export register in our electronic marketplace. You will at once see what the export industry of our partner countries has on offer.

PromotionAt trade fairs, contact forums and buying / selling missions, SIPPO matches importers with potential suppliers from partner countries.

SIPPOOn request, SIPPO actively supports importers in their search for and choice of potential business partners. We prepare company profi les of possible co-operation partners for importers.

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Further Information:Swiss Import PromotionProgrammePhone 044 365 52 [email protected]


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31

«Science to Market»

The CTI promotes projects in applied research and development (R & D) which are carried out jointly by companies and academia. It fi nances academias contributions to the projects – salaries of about 1000 researchers annually.

SME ONLINE

30 www.kti - cti.ch

Double Benefi t for SMEsDue to the bridging between laboratory and market, the CTI promotes industrial innovation processes. Enterprises can profi t twofold: from the results of the projects and from the training of market-oriented R & D - cadre.

Focussing on Fast Growing AreasCTI has expanded its promotional activity in life sciences, biotechnology, micro- and nanotechnologies as well as in information- and communication technologies (ICT). It is especially true that in the area of technology, the local actor can only prosper if it can make its mark at a global level.

Priorities for even more CompetitivenessCTI newly boosts particularly risky projects with high innovation and market potential.

Further Information:Innovation Promotion Agency Innovation-Hotline: 0800 000 [email protected]


SME ONLINE

32 www.ige.ch | www.ip - search.ch

For the Creative and Innovative

On www.ige.ch you fi nd everything about the protection and benefi t of trademarks, patents and designs. www.ip - search.ch offers professional services in the area of technology and patent information and trademark searches.

TrademarksA trademark creates identity and builds up trust. Trademark protection gives the owner the exclusive right to use a mark for identifying goods or services and to dispose of it (e.g. licensing). With e - trademark you can register your trademark quickly, simply and securely over the internet.

PatentsPatents are proof of the innovative strength of an enterprise. A patent gives its owner the exclusive right to commercially use the invention described in the patent. Furthermore, patents are important sources of information on technologies and competitors.

DesignsDesigns appeal to the senses and provoke feelings. Imitations in this area are not unusual. If you register your design you can effectively fi ght misuse.

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Further Information:Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual PropertyPhone 031 325 25 [email protected]


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35SME ONLINE

34 www.swissbiotech.org | www.swiss - medtech.org

Future Branches of Trade

The platforms of bio - and medtechnology assure a fast and easy access to information and services of both lines of business useful for SMEs, investors and researchers.

Concrete InnovationWho is doing research in what area? Who offers what products? Company and research profi les facilitate the search for the right partners.

Laws and LegislationAll regulations at a glance and up -to -date.

Tailored informationAccess to information is tailored to the various target groups of founders, entrepreneurs, researchers or investors – and there is a news ticker for everybody.

Further Information:Innovation Promotion Agency Innovation-Hotline: 0800 000 [email protected]


SME ONLINE

36 www.euresearch.ch

For Innovative SMEs

Euresearch is the Swiss net of information for European research partners. It’s aim is to facilitate the access of Swiss SMEs to European research and development (R&D) projects, therefore paving their ways to new markets.

SME -ServiceSwiss SMEs can take part in European R & D- projects and they can have their development expenses fi nanced.

Interactive Platform CAIMANYou defi ne the profi le of your interests – and we will regularly send you appropriate information about European R&D - projects.

Euresearch Guides you to your DestinationWould you like to take part in a European research pro-gramme or are you looking for support? We fi nd the appropriate EU-programme and competent partners for you. And we support you with your project proposals and contract conclusions.

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Further Information:EuresearchPhone 031 380 60 [email protected]


SME ONLINE

38 www.kmuadmin.ch

For Clever Founders

Thanks to KMUadmin all it takes to set up a sole proprietorshipis access to the internet. The portal is the joint work of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the Federal Offi ce of Justice.

The Straightforward Formation of a CompanyInformation windows and problem reports reduce mistakes and speed up your registration with the commercial register of companies, the VAT and the AHV.

Ready-made DocumentsA system with assistance produces complete and correct PDF-forms for the registration with the commercial register of companies and the VAT or an electronic message for the AHV-compensation offi ces.

Status ReportsYou can stop your registration anytime, save it and continue at a convenient point in time.

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Further Information:State Secretariat for Economic AffairsPhone 031 323 77 [email protected]


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40 www.ctistartup.ch | www.venturelab.ch

Researchers Today, Entrepreneurs Tomorrow

CTI Start-up assists the formation and build - up of new enter-prises. Professional coaching helps you with the conversion of your knowledge into innovative products and their marketing.

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Supporting you on your Path to SuccessCTI Start-up helps in the diffi cult starting phase: Your busi-ness - ideas are checked for feasibility and market potential. Then we will help you in developing a business - plan, a business - model and a strategy. Our coaches stay at your service until your business is developing well.

The Right Partners are IndispensableCTI Start-up focuses on excellent partnerships. Start-ups receive the best support and can be perfectly prepared for their venture - fi nancing – thanks to the co-operation with venturelab, investors, technoparks, transferring places etc.

Training for Studentsventurelab is a national education and training programme in entrepreneurship. In close co - operation with ETH, universities and universities of applied sciences, it organises educational modules to support innovative junior enterprises and to makeentrepreneurship attractive for students.

Further Information:Innovation Promotion Agency Phone 031 322 26 [email protected]


SME ONLINE

Imprint

Idee

Mila Trombitas seco, Thomas Suremann BK,

Peter Frey DEA, Rita Baldegger seco

Fundraising & Production

Mila Trombitas seco

Graphical Revision

3takt / Mediengestaltung, Basle

Co - operation

A. Blöchlinger FOJ, G. Gass Euresearch,

A. Gross FTA, A. Grossenbacher FSO, J. Heldt GS1,

U. Keller FSIO, U. Leimbacher Osec, J. Römer ISB,

D. Sallis SOFI, C. Sauser UFCOM, B. Schwizer SIPPO,

A. Soltermann Biotech / Medtech, C. Stampfl i OPET,

M. Tanner seco, D. Wehrli ERG / IRG, N. Wyss IIP

Available at

seco, [email protected], phone 031 323 77 70

2. Edition

With eVanti.ch the Swiss Federation promotes

transparency and exchange in eGovernment in federal

Switzerland.

eVanti.ch has the aim to increase the number of eGovern-

ment - solutions in Switzerland in a short time and at low

cost – so that Switzerland can profi t from all the advantages

of eGovernment as fast as possible. More productive and

qualitatively better services promote the competitive position of

Switzerland, because they help enterprises and authorities

to reduce their administration costs.

eVanti.ch – CH powered by eGovernment

www.evanti.ch

Imprint | Available atSME ONLINE