Review
Performance Report
In 2023, the international Swiss economy was marked by the global economic slowdown. Nevertheless, S-GE recorded high activity among Swiss companies, with demand for support services once again on the rise. In terms of investment promotion, thanks to a qualitative growth strategy, innovative leading companies were able to settle in Switzerland in a targeted manner, despite the increasing pressure on the country as a business location. S-GE was able to respond effectively to changing customer needs, in particular, systematically expanding and improving its digital solutions.
2023 saw many Swiss companies wanting to broaden their global value chain. Our support was in particularly high demand, for example, in the local market and in the search for business partners.
National investment promotion focuses on companies that are leaders in innovative ecosystems. Among other things, thanks to them, Switzerland remained the most innovative country in the world in 2023.
Export Promotion
Increasing Demand in a Complex Environment
Internationally active companies were able to build on a good order situation in 2023. Due to the persistently challenging market environment, S-GE has witnessed a strong trend among companies to diversify their value chain. As such, S-GE assisted many companies with entries into new markets or advised them on establishing a local presence. Companies were concerned about rising inflationary pressure abroad, geopolitical tensions, and increasing regulatory density in key target markets, leading to a higher demand for the services of S-GE:
+18%
companies supported
In 2023, S-GE supported 5,711 companies (previous year: 5,547) – for 136 countries. This marks an increase in demand compared to 2019 (4,824), i.e. compared to the end of the last performance period.
88%
impact
S-GE relies on a needs-based approach and has flexibly adapted its services in view of the challenging environment of recent years. This resulted in delightfully high impact figures of 88 percent in 2023 – an increase from the previous year (86%) and compared to 2019 (85%).
95%
satisfaction
Customers are satisfied with the services provided by S-GE, with a satisfaction rate of 95 percent. This represents an increase compared to the previous year (94%), and also compared to the previous performance period (90% in 2019).
Top 3
USA, Germany, UAE
Our customers requested support in 2023 for the US, German, and United Arab Emirates markets more than any others. In total, S-GE supported Swiss companies in 136 countries.
65'000
business opportunities in the GoGlobal Cockpit
S-GE continued to expand its digital services last year and recorded an increasing demand in this area. This was reflected, among other things, in the higher number of users of the digital service platform GoGlobal Cockpit (+47 percent compared to the previous year), where customers can find an average of around 65,000 business opportunities (previous year: 35,000).
We combine our digital tools and personal advice to support customers seamlessly and individually on their path to internationalization. We use curated data to effectively link them to suitable business partners, projects, and markets while ensuring a high level of service quality.
An Insight into the Highlights of the Past Year
January - December
Record Year for SWISS Pavilion Exhibitors
S-GE organizes, coordinates and conducts 20 to 25 Swiss joint participations in foreign trade fairs each year under the umbrella brand “Switzerland.” With 384 participants in 2023, more companies appeared at the SWISS Pavilion than ever before, highlighting the importance of personal contacts and local presence for Swiss companies.January
40,000 followers on LinkedIn
Social media is an important channel for informing Swiss companies about S-GE’s achievements and relevant foreign economic issues. At the beginning of 2023, S-GE surpassed the mark of 40,000 followers on the LinkedIn channel. Across all channels, S-GE reaches well over 100,000 followers with its social media activities.April
International Trade Forum in Lausanne
For the first time since the event’s launch more than 20 years ago, the International Trade Forum was held in Western Switzerland. More than 300 people, including many entrepreneurs and foreign trade experts, met in Lausanne. Once again, direct exchange with the more than 20 heads of the Swiss Business Hubs in attendance proved particularly popular.April
Megasol wins Export Award
Megasol Energie Ltd. has been active on the international stage since 2012 and now generates around 85% of its sales abroad. Thanks to its consistent alignment of supply with demand, the company is experiencing rapid international growth, for which it was honored with the Export Award in 2023.June
Digital Initiative for Infrastructure Business
Switzerland promotes easier access for Swiss companies to infrastructure projects abroad. To this end, S-GE works closely with key players in the industry and bundles the pooled expertise and joint network with appropriate digital initiatives. The new website infrastructure-solutions.swiss offers Swiss companies all relevant information and services from a single source – to ensure their success in global infrastructure projects.June
20 years of SBH UK + Ireland
In 2023, the Swiss Business Hub (SBH) UK + Ireland celebrated its 20th anniversary. The ceremony was attended by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and British Minister of State for International Trade Nigel Huddleston.July
MoU with Invest São Paulo
During the business mission to Brazil with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Ruth Metzler-Arnold, Chairman of the Board of Directors, signed a memorandum of understanding with InvestSP. This will strengthen S-GE’s presence in Latin America. InvestSP supports companies wishing to expand to São Paulo or establish themselves in the region.October
Fact-Finding Mission for Infrastructure in Manila
As part of the additional mandate to improve access for Swiss companies to large-scale foreign infrastructure projects, S-GE and its partners carried out a fact-finding mission to the Asian Development Bank’s headquarters in Manila. Companies were able to learn more about business opportunities in the transport, energy, and water sector in the Asia-Pacific region.October
Record Demand for ExportHelp Webinars
ExportHelp, the first point of contact for export-related questions, held several webinars in the national languages (German, French and Italian) in 2023, which were met with great interest. A record high participation rate (450+) was reached, for example, at the webinar on the abolition of industrial tariffs, which S-GE held together with SECO and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.October
Strong Cooperation with India
Ruth Metzler-Arnold signed a declaration of intent to join the Indo-Swiss Innovation Platform in Mumbai. With the Indo-Swiss Innovation Platform, Swissnex, SBH India, and the Swiss Embassy in India are pursuing a cross-network approach to enable the two countries to effectively expand their cooperation in the field of innovation.October
Growing Interest in Africa
CEO Simone Wyss Fedele accompanied Federal Councillor Parmelin’s economic mission to Morocco, Switzerland’s second most important trading partner in North Africa. Thanks to strong bilateral relationships and in-depth insights, S-GE is able to provide even more effective support to Swiss SMEs when it comes to exporting to Morocco and other countries in the region, as well as doing business on the ground.November
ESG Reporting for SMEs
S-GE was able to expand its services in the area of sustainability in 2023. For example, the requirements for ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting are steadily increasing. Together with the Chambers of Industry and Commerce of St. Gallen-Appenzell, Thurgau and Winterthur, S-GE organized a webinar on the latest developments in ESG reporting and showed how Swiss SMEs can best prepare for these. With around 105 participants, the event met with great interest.November
#ReBuildUkraine Conference in Warsaw
S-GE and SECO attended the Rebuild Ukraine conference in Warsaw with representatives of the Swiss Embassy, companies and industry associations. The conference was a meeting point for governments, business and civil society, and provided an important opportunity to establish contacts and strengthen the role of Switzerland and Swiss companies in the rebuilding process.November
Infrastructure Day with Key IFIs
International Financial Institutions (IFIs) develop and finance infrastructure projects in emerging economies. These are important business opportunities for Swiss companies. Together with SECO, S-GE organized an Infrastructure Day for Swiss companies to establish contacts with key IFIs (including the World Bank, IFC International Finance Corporation and the Asian Development Bank) and present their solutions.November
International Talk at Mikron in Agno
S-GE organized the International Talk exchange and networking event for companies in Ticino. The event was hosted by Mikron Machining AG. President Ruth Metzler-Arold welcomed around 35 entrepreneurs. One of the event’s objectives was to strengthen the Ticino Export Association and the exchange between internationally active companies.Customer Feedback
Partnerships with local companies are the foundation for successful market penetration. Building such partnerships is one of the keys to success. Switzerland Global Enterprise has repeatedly supported us with the country evaluation.
Andrea Glomb
Head of Sales EMEA Büchi Labortechnik AG, Flawil
S-GE and the Swiss Business Hubs assist us both with sourcing and opening up new markets. I am particularly pleased with the rapid response and high level of motivation of the advisors.
Beatrice Fasana
Managing Director Sandro Vanini AG, Rivera and member of S-GE since 2023
If all the partners and tradespeople I work with had the same agility, professionalism, and efficiency as Switzerland Global Enterprise, my weeks would be shorter and I would sleep much better.
Pierre-Alexandre Aeschlimann
President and CEO, ANDERSEN Geneva
Brazil is a huge market for cosmetic products but it is also a complicated one. Cobea had to meet a variety of regulatory requirements. We are delighted to have found some reliable local partners and specialists who were able to provide Cobea with the expert support it needed for this challenging task.
Hannes Ruh
Member of the Board of Directors of Cobea AG, Dänikon
Investment Promotion
Targeted Settlement Strengthens Swiss Innovation
In 2023, Switzerland proved to be an attractive business location, particularly for world-leading companies in technology and innovation. The strategic focus of national investment promotion on future technologies was therefore met with renewed confirmation. The targeted settlement of innovation leaders strengthens Swiss innovation and with it, the competitiveness of the Swiss economy as a whole. At the same time, the pressure on Switzerland as a business location is steadily increasing. Concerns from interested companies, such as lack of access to the EU market and research programs, were addressed even more specifically in last year’s investment promotion activities.
107
settlement and innovation projects
In 2023, S-GE was able to convince 107 international companies to consider locating in Switzerland, together with the cantons, regions, and innovation parks (previous year: 129 / 2021: 106). This decline in the last year corresponds to the new quality strategy of national investment promotion (targeted settlement of innovation leaders with high added value).
56%
with future technologies
56 percent of all interested companies had a connection to future technologies, particularly in the fields of personalized health and artificial intelligence (previous year 65%).
Top 3
USA, Japan, South Korea
… were the top 3 countries of origin for settlement and innovation projects in 2023
10
foreign ecosystems covered
The Swiss Business Hubs work abroad with leading technology associations and other players in local innovation ecosystems and establish high-quality partnerships. This increases the reach of investment promotion and boosts the chance of settlement projects with high added value.An Insight into the Highlights of the Past Year
January
Consumer Electronic Show Las Vegas, USA
Under the motto «swisstech for extended worlds», 25 recently founded Swiss companies presented their pioneering innovations at CES in Las Vegas. Together with Presence Switzerland and other partners, S-GE organized the appearance with the aim of positioning Switzerland as a leading location for innovation and technology. The event attracted 12,000 visitors and around 185 media articles in the United States and around the world.March
New Handbook Addresses Innovative Companies
S-GE provides its target group for investment promotion, i.e. innovative foreign companies, with information in the form of a compact handbook on the most important aspects of Switzerland as a modern and innovative location for business and technology. S-GE completely revised the reference book in 2023 and published it in eight languages.Handbook for Investors
May
Events with Switzerland Innovation In Asia
In May, the Swiss Business Hubs in Japan and Korea organized a series of events to provide a platform for the Switzerland Innovation network. Four of the innovation parks were on location to network with local innovation ecosystems. In Japan, one event attracted 63 representatives of major Japanese companies, and in Korea, the Swiss Innovation Week was held in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy as part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.June
Cooperation in Economic Development
In the presence of Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and British Minister of State for International Trade Nigel Huddleston, S-GE and the British Department for Business and Trade renewed their long-standing partnership on economic development and investment between the two countries.August
20th Investment Summit in Basel
Under the motto «Co-creating a bold future», the 20th edition of the Investment Summit took place in the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area. Around 155 representatives from cantonal and regional investment promotion and business development agencies as well as other partners met together. The event focused on the five innovation ecosystems that national investment promotion will actively be working on in the future.September
India Roadshow
The Swiss Business Hub India held two roadshows in spring and autumn focusing on investment promotion. These included presentations and a networking dinner with stakeholders from the Indian pharmaceutical and life science sectors. Partners such as Swissnex in India, along with regional stakeholders and knowledge partners were involved in the roadshow.October
«X marks the spot» Campaign in Texas
Together with Presence Switzerland and the Swiss Business Hub USA, S-GE conducted a marketing campaign in the US state of Texas in October. Under the title “X marks the spot,” Switzerland was introduced for both basic contracts and innovation partnerships. Activities took place in the cities of Austin, Houston, and Dallas.November
SwissTech Night at the Web Summit
The SwissTech Night on the opening day of the Web Summit included a panel discussion on «Why invest in Switzerland?», elevator pitches from Swiss start-ups, and a networking portion. The event was organized by S-GE in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy in Portugal and the Swiss-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCISP) on the margins of Europe’s largest technology conference.Success stories
In cooperation with S-GE and other partners, we focus on pioneering technologies and innovative companies. In these sectors, the creation of new jobs is essential. Strong tech ecosystems ensure the long-term presence of companies, which in turn ensures regional prosperity. Many thanks for the excellent partnership!
Sonja Wollkopf Walt
Managing Director, Greater Zurich Area and “Location Manager of the Year 2023” (award from the Swiss Association for Location Management (SVSM))
We were delighted that this year’s Investment Summit took place in the Main Campus of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, an impressive example of the strength of Switzerland as a technology and innovation location. The Summit was all about the future investment promotion strategy and the good cooperation of all the players involved in national and regional investment promotion.
Paul Eschmann
Member of the Management Board of Basel Area Business & Innovation
The Swiss drone industry is incredibly strong and characterized by innovation. Swiss universities are world leaders in the field of robotics and also produce top talent. For these reasons, Switzerland is an important business location for technology companies.
Eszter Kovacs
Co-Founder and CEO of DroneTalks
Members + Partners
Valuable Memberships and Partnerships
As an association, S-GE has an important platform function and provides internationally active entrepreneurs in Switzerland and Liechtenstein with valuable networking opportunities and regular personal exchange. More than 2,100 members make up the foundation of S-GE and the Swiss Export Community. These include companies as well as private sector and institutional organizations.
Other key pillars of S-GE and Swiss export and investment promotion are the extensive network of partners in Switzerland and around 130 countries around the world, as well as the associated cooperations in service provision. More information about the S-GE network.
2'101
members
S-GE further expanded its membership program in 2023 and was able to gain 145 new members (previous year: 73). More about the membership at S-GE.
67
joint initiatives with Swiss partners
S-GE once again strengthened its cooperation with partners: In 2023, S-GE implemented 67 joint initiatives (such as joint events) with various partners in Switzerland in the area of export promotion (previous year: 61).
65%
of all consulting projects with partners
Out of all S-GE consulting projects in export promotion, 65% were carried out jointly with partners in Switzerland and abroad in 2023 (previous year: 61%).Members in Focus
S-GE helps us to better understand the sales markets and distribution channels.
BROMATECH (Suisse) SA, based in Manno TI, is part of the BROMATECH Group, which also includes BROMATECH srl, based in Italy. Thanks to scientific research, we now know that the microbiota is an independent organ with complex functions that are crucial for the human organism. BROMATECH has been studying the role of the microbiota for over 25 years and is investigating the possibility of cultivating this valuable bacterial heritage through targeted dietary supplements.
We have used S-GE’s services for our internationalization projects every time and we have no regrets.
MPS Micro Precision Systems develops innovative and robust micro-technical solutions for its customers in the high-tech sectors of watches, medical devices, optics + photonics, astronomy, automation, and semiconductors. Its four sites in Biel; Bonfol; Court; and Boston, USA, employ 480 highly qualified and reliable employees.
Success with Roots at Home
Maillefer SA from Ecublens VD is the world’s leading supplier of technologies for the production of wires, cables, pipes, and hoses, and has sales offices all over the world.
With its valuable foreign relationships, S-GE can help us to develop relevant contacts.
aumico AG is a software company from Zurich that has set itself the goal of redefining financial reporting between companies. aumico is the name of the cloud-based software application that automates the process of creating financial reports, including the mandatory annual financial statements.
Regardless of the sector, global companies often face similar questions and challenges. S-GE creates a valuable platform for actively exchanging experience, which we can benefit from as a member.