National Economy Commission

The Economic Commission (VWK) is the advisory commission of the Directorate of Economy, Energy, and Environment for the assessment of fundamental issues from all areas that are economically significant.

It serves as a platform for information exchange between the economy and administration.

1. Responsibilities of the VWK

a. Advising the Directorate of Economics, Energy, and Environment on important economic matters,

b. Providing opinions on significant affairs of the Directorate of Economics, Energy, and Environment,

c. Issuing recommendations to the Justice Commission for the election of specialist judges for the Commercial Court.

2. Furthermore, the VWK may specifically provide opinions on

a. important consultation proposals from the federal and cantonal levels with significant economic implications,

b. important cross-directorate questions,

c. planned economic measures.

1. The VWK consists of 17 to 21 members.

2. The following organizations are entitled to two members as well as two substitutes

a. Berner KMU Cantonal Bernese Trade Association,

b. the Bernese Canton Trade and Industry Association,

c. the Cantonal Association of Bernese Employer Organizations,

d. the Bernese Canton Trade Union Federation,

e. Angestellte Bern,

f. the Economic and Social Sciences Faculty of the University of Bern.

3. The following organizations are entitled to one member as well as two substitutes

a. the Cantonal Bern Commercial Association,

b. the Agricultural Organization of Bern and Adjacent Areas,

c. Travail.Suisse - Region Bern,

d. the Association of Bernese Forest Owners,

e. Pro Natura Bern.

4. Additional members as well as substitutes are elected upon the request of at least half of the members of the VWK or the Directorate of Economic Affairs, Energy, and the Environment.

1. The Executive Council shall elect the President, the members of the VWK, as well as their deputies for a term of four years, based on the proposals of the relevant organizations or the Directorate for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Environment.

1a. The Directorate for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Environment shall grant the Bernese Jura Council and the Council for French-speaking Affairs of the Biel/Bienne Administrative District the right to propose a candidate in consultation with the relevant organization.

2. Re-election is permitted.

3. The Vice President shall be designated by the VWK.

The Economic, Energy, and Environmental Commission (VWK) convenes at the invitation of the President or upon the request of the Directorate of Economic, Energy, and Environmental Affairs or at least five members.

If a member is unable to attend a commission meeting, they must call upon their deputy in a timely manner.

The Directorate of Economic, Energy, and Environmental Affairs may involve individual members of the VWK for preliminary discussions on urgent matters.

1. The President of the VWK and the Directorate of Economic Affairs, Energy, and Environment may involve staff from the administration or other persons for meetings.

1. The session documents are generally distributed to the members and substitute members in advance and at least ten days prior to the meeting for routine matters.

1. The VWK may establish committees for specific issues.

2. The full commission must be reported to.

1. The compensation for external administrative members as well as their deputies is governed by the Ordinance of July 2, 1990, on Daily Allowances and Travel Compensation for Members of State Commissions.

2. Activities in a committee are compensated in the same manner as meetings.

The General Secretariat of the Directorate of Economic Affairs, Energy, and Environment manages the secretariat of the VWK.

1. Details may be stipulated by a regulation of the Directorate of Economic Affairs, Energy, and Environment.

2. The VWK must be consulted in advance.

This regulation shall come into force on January 1, 1993.