Two female entrepreneurs newly elected to the Board of Directors
Damian Müller is the new President of Swiss Medtech. The 39-year-old Council of States member from Canton Lucerne expressed his thanks for the trust placed in him and said following his election: «The medtech sector is an extremely important asset for both the Swiss economy and the provision of healthcare. I believe communicating this value to the outside world is one of my most important tasks as Swiss Medtech President.» Damian Müller has served on the Board for the past year and succeeds Beat Vonlanthen who successfully guided the association through challenging circumstances over the past six years.
The Assembly also elected two businesswomen – both with over twenty years of experience in the medtech industry – to the Board of Directors. Juliette von Arx is CEO of the trading and tech company Lifestage Solutions AG and replaces Harald Schatzl, a long-standing Board member. Katrin Siebenbürger Hacki is CEO of the Lausanne-based company Medows Sàrl and will play a key role in developing Swiss Medtech in the French-speaking Romandie region.
Guest speaker, State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), was welcomed by approximately 200 representatives of the Swiss medtech industry. Ms Budliger Artieda addressed «Economic policy in uncertain times», emphasising that interfering industrial policies and protectionism (both of which are currently on the rise) are not the right path for Switzerland. «Switzerland's integration into international supply chains and markets remains key. SECO is working tirelessly – also in the interest of diversification and resilience – to promote free trade and remove technical barriers which hinder trading. At the same time, we are doing everything we can to consolidate and expand the favourable framework conditions in Switzerland. In this way, we can ensure a strong foundation for our innovative and productive companies, such as those in the medtech sector.»
Swiss Medtech represents around 800 members in its role as industry association for Swiss medical technology. With 71,700 employees and a contribution of 11.9% to the positive trade balance, medical technology is an economically significant sector in Switzerland. Swiss Medtech advocates for conditions that enable the medtech industry to perform at peak capacity and provide first-class medical care.