The Swiss mechanical and electrical engineering industries can look back on a gratifying first-half 2006. Exports clocked in at over CHF 33 billion, a 13% rise on the previous year's figures. Sales (5.5%) and new orders received (24.7%) both reported healthy growth rates. Swissmem expects further growth in the year now underway. − Where energy policy is concerned, Swissmem is calling for electricity demand in Switzerland to be met from domestic production capacity. Swissmem is campaigning for the innovation promotion budget to be raised to CHF 150 million and for a «yes» to the Swiss EU cohesion contribution.