The branch of Industrial and Commerce Bank of China (ICBC) was officially opened in Zurich on Thursday evening. In addition to ICBC president Shu Gu and a representative from the China Embassy in Switzerland, Peizhong Chen, other dignitaries to attend the opening included Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer and Swiss National Bank president Thomas Jordan.
The business development unit of the Office for Economy and Labour at the Canton of Zurich assisted the bank in establishing its new branch. The move “strengthens the importance of the Zurich financial centre and is a further highlight of the canton’s commitment to promoting trade relations with China,” said Carmen Walker Späh, Head of the Department for Economic Affairs.
ICBC is the largest and highest valued bank in the world with over 450,000 employees. The Swiss ICBC branch will be headed by Peichen Chen, who previously served as vice chairman of the bank’s operations in Pakistan.
After China Construction Bank (CCB), ICBC is the second Chinese financial institution to establish itself in the Greater Zurich Area. CCB opened a branch in Zurich in October 2015, where it now has around 33 employees.
