What is the SECO-IMF partnership and what are the objectives?

It is a technical assistance program of the State Secretariat of the Swiss economy together with the International Monetary Fund, lasting 2026-2030 with financing of CHF 40 million. It aims to strengthen finance ministries, central banks, and supervisory authorities in IMF partner countries, improve sustainable public debt management, increase the stability of financial sectors, and ensure the integrity of financial systems and the collection of reliable economic data.

How much does Switzerland invest and for how long?

Switzerland allocates CHF 40 million in total in the five-year period 2026-2030, corresponding to approximately CHF 8 million per year. Funding comes from the Swiss federal budget and is earmarked for technical assistance and institutional strengthening in IMF member countries.

Who directly benefits from the program?

Directly, IMF partner countries receive technical assistance to strengthen their economic institutions. Indirectly, Switzerland and its companies/investors benefit from more stable economic framework conditions globally, better access to international markets and lower economic risks arising from foreign financial instability.

How does this decision connect Switzerland to international institutions?

Switzerland leads a voting group at the IMF and World Bank. Investing in robust technical assistance consolidates Switzerland's position in international economic negotiations, allowing the government to influence global financial policies according to national strategic interests.

When does the program start and how is it monitored?

The programme starts in 2026 and continues until 2030. During the five-year period, SECO and FMI share regular reports on progress, results achieved in the beneficiary institutions and benefits for the Swiss economy. The Federal Council and the Swiss Parliament oversee implementation through ordinary parliamentary control channels.

Federal Council approves SECO-IMF partnership for economy (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 26 August 2026

Panoramic view of Lugano, economic center of Ticino, symbolizing international economic cooperation.

On 26 August, the Swiss Government allocated CHF 40 million for the SECO-FMI 2026-2030 programme, strengthening global economic institutions for the benefit of Swiss businesses.

Context

In brief

Federal Council approves CHF 40 million for SECO-IMF partnership 2026-2030
Strengthens finance ministries, central banks, supervisory authorities in partner countries
Benefits Swiss enterprises and investors through stable global markets

Key facts

What: SECO-IMF partnership for international economic technical assistance
When: August 26, 2026 (duration 2026-2030)
Where: IMF partner countries worldwide
Who: Federal Council, SECO, IMF
Amount: CHF 40 million
Focus: Finance ministries, central banks, supervisory authorities, public debt management

August 26, 2026 — The Federal Council has approved an allocation of CHF 40 million for a new partnership between the State Secretariat for the Economy (SECO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), valid from 2026 to 2030. The decision represents a significant commitment by Switzerland in strengthening global economic institutions through a targeted program of technical assistance to IMF member countries.

Objectives and areas of intervention

The program focuses on three operational pillars: strengthening finance ministries, central banks, and financial supervisory authorities in partner countries; promoting sustainable management of public finances and debt; increasing the stability of financial sectors. A fourth crucial element concerns strengthening the integrity of financial systems and the provision of reliable economic data, a fundamental element for transparency in international financial markets.

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Operational details

Why Switzerland invests in global institutional stability

Switzerland does not operate in isolation in the global economic system. Weak and non-transparent international financial institutions are a source of systemic risk for developed economies. When an IMF partner country experiences a banking crisis or unsustainable public debt management, the effects spread rapidly through international trade and financial channels, also affecting Swiss companies and investors. Investing in technical assistance to strengthen sound finance ministries, credible central banks and transparent supervisory systems means protecting national economic interests in the long term.

The CHF 40 million allocated over the five-year period (approximately CHF 8 million annually) is therefore not a cost, but an investment in the prevention of global economic crises that would have incomparably higher costs if they were to occur.

Swiss positioning in the Bretton Woods institutions

The new partnership further consolidates Switzerland's position in the core institutions of the global financial system: the IMF and the World Bank. Both organizations operate according to the weighted voting system, where Switzerland leads a voting group that includes several countries. Robust and credible technical assistance to member countries strengthens Switzerland's credibility in the international political-economic dialogue,

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Key points

How SECO Implements International Technical Assistance

SECO, as the State Secretariat responsible for the economy, international trade, and financial affairs, manages the operational relationship with the IMF and the practical implementation of the program. The CHF 40 million financing will be allocated primarily to Swiss experts and consultants who will support IMF technicians in beneficiary countries, working directly within finance ministries, central banks, and local supervisory agencies. These experts often come from the Swiss federal administration, universities, and Swiss private consulting firms, creating employment opportunities for Swiss professionals in the financial and economic sectors.

SECO coordinates the program in coherence with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and with Swiss bilateral cooperation agencies, ensuring that technical assistance is consistent with sustainable development programs and international cooperation already underway in many partner countries.

Timeline and Monitoring

The program is officially valid from 2026 to 2030. During this five-year period, SECO and the IMF will share regular reports on progress, results achieved in beneficiary economic institutions (regulatory reforms implemented, institutional capacity strengthened, financial transparency improved) and benefits derived for the Swiss economy. The Federal Council and Swiss Parliament will periodically supervise implementation through ordinary parliamentary oversight channels, ensuring accountability for public funds allocated.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SECO-IMF partnership and what are the objectives?: It is a technical assistance program of the State Secretariat of the Swiss economy together with the International Monetary Fund, lasting 2026-2030 with financing of CHF 40 million. It aims to strengthen finance ministries, central banks, and supervisory authorities in IMF partner countries, improve sustainable public debt management, increase the stability of financial sectors, and ensure the integrity of financial systems and the collection of reliable economic data.
How much does Switzerland invest and for how long?: Switzerland allocates CHF 40 million in total in the five-year period 2026-2030, corresponding to approximately CHF 8 million per year. Funding comes from the Swiss federal budget and is earmarked for technical assistance and institutional strengthening in IMF member countries.
Who directly benefits from the program?: Directly, IMF partner countries receive technical assistance to strengthen their economic institutions. Indirectly, Switzerland and its companies/investors benefit from more stable economic framework conditions globally, better access to international markets and lower economic risks arising from foreign financial instability.
How does this decision connect Switzerland to international institutions?: Switzerland leads a voting group at the IMF and World Bank. Investing in robust technical assistance consolidates Switzerland's position in international economic negotiations, allowing the government to influence global financial policies according to national strategic interests.
When does the program start and how is it monitored?: The programme starts in 2026 and continues until 2030. During the five-year period, SECO and FMI share regular reports on progress, results achieved in the beneficiary institutions and benefits for the Swiss economy. The Federal Council and the Swiss Parliament oversee implementation through ordinary parliamentary control channels.