The Switzerland Global Enterprise organization has been in existence for 90 years. It is engaged in the development of export from Switzerland and helps foreign companies that would like to gain a foothold in the Alpine country. Today, the company is represented by 22 Swiss Business Hubs all over the world. The Russian market is a priority for S-GE. The Swiss Business Hub Russia has successfully been in operation for 15 years and is engaged in the information and consulting support of Swiss and Russian companies.
The evening was opened by the Swiss ambassador to the Russian Federation Mr. Ives Rossier. He began his speech with a few phrases in Russian, which he has been learning since he came to Moscow six months ago. Mr. Rossier spoke of the history of Switzerland Global Enterprise and the work of the hubs in various countries, including Russia.
“The Swiss Business Hub Russia was opened in 2002 before the period of active growth in the Russian economy began. Since then, the political and economic situation has changed but it is now that developing connections with Russia matters most to Swiss companies. Small and medium-sized businesses that invested in this market in time and strengthened their positions in it will be able to exploit new business opportunities and grow along with the Russian economy during the next economic upturn,” Mr. Rossier pointed out.
The guests were also addressed by the CEO of Switzerland Global Enterprise Mr. Daniel Küng, who underlined that Switzerland’s internal market is very small, and therefore the country pays great attention to developing international economic bonds, including those with Russia. Swiss companies are fighting on the global market and are standing up to competition. While there are 8 million people, or 0.1% of the world’s population, living in Switzerland, Switzerland’s export equates to 1.5% of the global market. The country is actively attracting investments and is developing as an international business hub.
“When I was a student, direct foreign investment was 40% of the GDP, now this figure stands at 170%,” Mr. Küng said. He also pointed out that a particularly vibrant SME sector is located in Switzerland, which is used to constantly competing at a global scale. This motivates companies to implement new technologies and services and thus grow continuously. Entrepreneurs are also attracted by the innovation, finance and logistics infrastructure of Switzerland, the outstanding educational system, universities and medicine.
The head of the Swiss Business Hub Russia, Lorenz Widmer, who took up the post in August 2017, spoke about the organization’s main areas of work and introduced his team. The Hub is engaged in the support of Swiss companies seeking to enter the Russian market and helps entrepreneurs from Russia who intend to start businesses in Switzerland.
The evening was followed by a flying dinner and informal conversation among the guests.
Please see the photos of the reception to mark the 15th anniversary of the Swiss Business Hub Russia and the 90th anniversary of Switzerland Global Enterprise available at the following link.
