Switzerland

Abstract

Competitiveness of Swiss public forest enterprises is hampered by the fact that there is, by and large, little economic dependence on timber and wood production. Crossfinancing and alternative or other sources of income are more important. Private forest enterprises do well if they are big enough to be economically viable. High level of wages and the low prices in the forest and timber market as compared to other countries is a limiting factor to entrepreneurship. The uncertain development of the forestry sector is not a rewarding perspective for the younger generation to embark on the establishment of forest enterprises. Other sectors of the economy offer better economic alternatives to entrepreneurs. Innovations in the forestry sector bear high uncertainties of success and profit. Externalities of the societal demands in the spheres of recreation, landscape aesthetics and climatic services are taken for granted and are likely not be adequately compensated in future.