Digitalswitzerland opposes cost-cutting measures
The Digitalswitzerland association is taking issue with a savings proposal from Serge Gaillard's group of experts. The proposal is for CHF 2 million to be invested annually in digitization projects in the private and public sectors.
The group of experts led by the former head of the Federal Finance Administration, Serge Gaillard, has drawn up various savings proposals to bring the federal budget into balance. The working group presented a total of 60 measures that could save the Confederation up to CHF 5 billion a year. One proposal is a source of irritation for the Digitalswitzerland association.
It concerns the proposed waiver of start-up funding for digitization projects from the private and public sectors that are of "high public interest". From next year, up to CHF 2 million per year would be earmarked for this.
This would be an "incomprehensible cut", according to Digitalswitzerland, adding that it only involves 2 million in a total package of 5 billion Swiss francs. The association also "warns" against "stopping investments in digital infrastructure - especially in times of artificial intelligence", as the press release states. This is because digitalization can also help to save costs.
Gaillard's group of experts, on the other hand, is skeptical about direct support for companies for reasons of efficiency. It carries the risk of deadweight effects and market distortions, according to the Detailed documentation of the report. Financial aid for companies is also very complex to implement, especially for this relatively small subsidy. And finally, the Swiss Digital Administration is already a funding vehicle for the digital transformation of public administrations. (Joël Orizet/gal)
