Ratings agency S&P Global has reaffirmed the top AAA rating of Liechtenstein with a stable outlook, making the country again one of just 10 countries in the world to receive this top rating.

To celebrate its 300th birthday the Principality of Liechtenstein is launching a new app giving visitors the opportunity to experience the country’s history in digital form. The LIstory app is available to download from today and represents the perfect pocket companion to the new Liechtenstein Trail, which will be officially opened on Sunday.

Lonely Planet has named Liechtenstein among the top ten European destinations to visit in 2019. The travel guidebook publisher highlights celebrations being held to mark 300 years since Liechtenstein became a sovereign nation.

In the first four months of 2019, the Hilti Group further improved its sales on the previous year. For the year as a whole, the Liechtenstein tool manufacturer is expecting sales growth in the mid-to-high single digits.

In 2018, exports on the part of Liechtenstein companies and employment figures rose substantially. However, during Q1 2019, growth has weakened slightly. The most recent figures and economic landscape indicate that a slowdown in growth is on the cards over the coming months.

Kaiser Partner Privatbank AG virtually doubled its profits in 2018 to 4.5 million Swiss francs. Its client assets under management also improved strongly.

At the start of 2019, Liechtenstein’s foreign trade was less dynamic in comparison with the same period in the previous year. Imports fell more markedly than exports, with imports from the USA falling substantially year on year. Germany remains the main trading partner of Liechtenstein.

Liechtensteinische Post AG has managed to maintain stable sales in financial year 2018. However, a year-on-year improvement in profit was achieved against 2017. As a result, it has been able to pay off a loan from the Swiss Post.

The economic outlook for Liechtenstein continues to be positive by international comparison. This was deduced by the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority in its quarterly Economy Monitor. However, the country is not entirely immune to intensifying global risks.

Liechtenstein has received a good rating from the OECD’s Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. The country is largely compliant, it was concluded in the organization’s latest peer review report.

LGT increased its gross income significantly in the 2018 financial year compared with 2017. The international private banking and asset management group owned by the Princely House of Liechtenstein even recorded a double-digit increase in group profit.

Ivoclar Vivadent recorded slight year-on-year sales growth in the previous financial year. There was particularly strong growth in emerging economies for the Liechtenstein dental specialist.

The VP Bank Group has reported operational successes for financial year 2018. Its long-term growth strategy has been reflected in a considerable net inflow of new money. However, higher investment caused Group net income to decline on the previous year.

Exports, population and overnight stays in Liechtenstein rose year on year in 2018. This is shown in the new edition of the online publication “Aktuelle Entwicklung”. In it the Office of Statistics conducts its quarterly review of the economy and the population.

The government intends to further improve the location advantages of Liechtenstein as a financial center. The financial center strategy that has been adopted to this end includes measures in the areas of governance and recognition, market access and value creation.

The Unit for International Financial Center Services in Liechtenstein is to be renamed as the Unit for Financial Center Innovation. This move seeks to enshrine the issue of innovation within the financial sector at an organizational level.

The trade relationship between Liechtenstein and the United Kingdom will remain almost unaffected by Brexit. This is being guaranteed by a corresponding deal between the two countries. It was signed by Liechtenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Aurelia Frick and the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox on Monday.

Liechtenstein intends to work together with the EU to advance the use of blockchain technologies in Europe. To this end, ambassador Sabine Monauni has signed the European Blockchain Partnership in Brussels.

In January, the number of people without jobs in Liechtenstein fell year on year. However, there was a slight rise in unemployment when compared with December 2018. The same trend was observed for youth unemployment.

In August 2019, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Award will be presented in Liechtenstein for the fifth time. The prize is awarded by the Liechtenstein government and the consulting firm EY. Companies from all sectors can enter.