Foreign demand for internationally active Swiss SMEs is likely to recover slightly in 2025, with individual markets developing at an increasingly uneven rate. High levels of public investment in infrastructure and energy efficiency offer attractive opportunities in individual markets and niches. Against this backdrop, it is extremely important to identify and exploit concrete market opportunities in order to achieve international success. In this context, an ongoing assessment of geopolitical risks is important in order to be able to adapt quickly to new circumstances. The broad spread of company value chains, especially for critical components and raw materials, remains key. At the same time, growing sustainability requirements mean that SMEs will increasingly need to take action.

Geopolitical risks and uncertainties are causing internationally active, innovative foreign companies to rethink their global footprint, although Switzerland remains an attractive location for many companies. Along with the availability of skilled workers, Switzerland’s appeal as a business location can be found in its stability and reliability. At the same time, relations with the EU, which remain unresolved, are increasing the pressure on the location’s attractiveness. Overall, Switzerland should retain its appeal as a business location. S-GE and its partners are focusing their national investment promotion efforts on innovative and value-added locations that will strengthen Switzerland as a location for business and innovation in the long term.