Positive growth is projected to resume from the end of 2009 onward, driven by growing demand from trading partners and improving activity in financial markets. Unemployment may rise to about 5% while inflation is projected to be low but positive. Leading business cycle indicators have improved markedly in recent months, turning positive from low levels in the second quarter of 2009. Orders in manufacturing have risen to a level indicating expansion in the fourth quarter. Growth is expected to pick up in 2011, reaching 2.1% at the end of the year.

The sharp downturn of economic activity is expected to continue throughout 2009, reflecting the fall in world trade. A slow recovery in the course of 2010 will be led by gradually improving exports, notably to East Asia.

Economic activity is expected to contract somewhat in 2009, due to poorer export prospects and a diminished contribution of financial services, followed by a rebound in 2010 as global financial market turbulence abates. Inflation is projected to fall back to 1%, reflecting lower oil prices, the opening of an output gap and wage moderation. A further reduction in policy interest rates may be needed, but monetary policy stimulus will have to be withdrawn in the course of 2010. Fiscal policy should allow automatic stabilisers to operate.

The number of broadband subscribers in the OECD rose to 235 million by December 2007, up 18% from 200 million subscribers in December 2006.This growth increased broadband penetration rates to 20 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, up from 16.9 in December 2006.

International trade is very prominent right now. Can we start by looking at Switzerland's position?

As a very export orientated country, trade is extremely important to us. Switzerland has for years been open to trade deals, both as a member of the European Free Trade Association and through bilateral agreements, with 19 in all now.

Economic growth is expected to slow to about 2% in 2008 and 2009, close to the potential rate, with a diminished contribution from net exports. Employment should continue rising, although unemployment may not fall much further. Inflation is projected to rise modestly, reflecting past oil price rises and a high level of capacity utilisation. The government budget surplus will decline.

Was the dot.com boom a fortuitous circumstance, or the fruit of brilliant minds? Was it the hardware or the software that spurred the IT revolution? And to what extent did government efforts to free up markets and provide enabling business and innovation environments play a role?

Switzerland’s health system is arguably one of the world’s best, but at what cost? This is a question raised in a new report produced jointly by the OECD and the World Health Organization (WHO).