Switzerland is the intersection point of different cultures, and the communication and transport centre joining the north and south of Europe. This makes it an ideal starting point for business in countries of the European Union. The service sector of Switzerland generates some 70 percent of the gross domestic product, 28 percent are contributed by the industry sector. The Swiss economy is strongly geared towards exports, with a ratio of about 65 percent going to Europe. Apart from agricultural and food industry products, trade has complete freedom.
Language diversity opens markets
Linguistically, Switzerland is unique in Europe, with German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Romanic used as domestic languages. English is also a common business language. Switzerland offers its foreign guests who decide to live there for business reasons an outstanding quality of life and a very safe environment. In its 2010 Quality of Living survey Mercer put Zurich on second and Geneva on third position in Europe, just behind Vienna. The Swiss economy is one of the most liberal and competitive in the world, offering the best conditions to enter new markets.
Recently [the Swiss economy] was rated number one in the ranking of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in terms of competitive capacity
Recently it was rated number one in the ranking of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in terms of competitive capacity. Its position as the country with the world’s greatest competitive capacity is attributable to the fact that it showed few weaknesses throughout the global financial and economic crisis.
The country is also distinctive through its social quietude and political and economic stability. The efficient federal state structure gives the cantons a considerable degree of political decision-making freedom and administrative autonomy. This means that the major official bodies are very accessible and that decision and policymaking are simplified.
Switzerland is also a leader in research and education and is one of the world’s most active researching countries. Service quality is high and intellectual property is protected by a network of international contracts. Switzerland is therefore a valuable feeding ground for creativity and innovation, as nowhere are new developments and inventions better protected. In the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) 2009, which is a comparative analysis of innovation performance among the countries of the European union, Switzerland ranked first and became, so to speak, European’s champion for innovation.
Infrastructure offers optimal framework conditions
As one of the largest financial centres in the world, Switzerland also offers excellent opportunities for financing investments. Since Switzerland has no raw materials to exploit, it has developed over the last two hundred years a number of well established industry clusters: networks of producers, suppliers and research organisations, and of providers along a supply chain which have a certain regional proximity to one another. Cleantech, life sciences, pharma, chemicals, medical technology and the luxury watch industry are just a few examples.
Support for overseas investment
In close cooperation with industry and the cantons, Switzerland fosters optimal conditions for a strong economic environment. For example, foreign trade promotion organisation Osec coordinates together with the cantons activity on behalf of the government to drive overseas investment and supports companies under the Swiss trade and investment promotion programme. Osec is the contact between foreign and the cantonal authorities. Together with its partners, it provides companies with non-bureaucratic and efficient help in choosing a location and setting up. Further information is available in German, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian.
Osec – the competence centre for Swiss foreign trade promotion
Osec informs, advises and supports firms in their international business ventures. In Switzerland, Osec works in collaboration with cantonal chambers of trade, commerce and industry and with the cantonal departments of economic affairs and economic development agencies. Abroad, the network includes 18 Swiss business hubs, located in growth and focus markets in Swiss consulates and bilateral chambers of commerce. As part of its foreign trade promotion work, Osec coordinates a compact network (Business Network Switzerland) with competent partners both in Switzerland and abroad.