Western Switzerland As a Business Location
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A Handbook for Investors WESTERN SWITZERLAND AS A BUSINESS LOCATION IN COLLABORATION WITH Cover image: Solar Impulse 2 flying over Lake Neuchâtel © Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch © S-GE & GGBa January 2016 All rights reserved Welcome Dear Reader, Innovation is the cornerstone of every company’s success and it plays an increasingly decisive role in the process of choosing a business location. Switzerland, with its pioneer spirit and its capacity for innovation has naturally become the preferred location for forward-looking companies. The Greater Geneva Bern area can provide you with professional support tailored to your needs, thereby allowing you to launch your activities in Switzerland as efficiently and effectively as possible. With the creation of the Greater Geneva Bern area in 2010, the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva and Valais joined forces to share our combined experience with potential investors from abroad. Today, our organization is comprised of a network of experienced and passionate professionals located around the world. We have successfully advised and assisted over 350 investors who have found that our region offers the most favorable conditions for the development of their businesses. Western Switzerland is an ideal location for innovative companies of all sizes, in all sectors, from any country. An extraordinary crossroad at the heart of Europe, our region attracts entrepreneurs as a result of its unique framework conditions, its prosperity and the diversity of the economy, the availability of a qualified workforce and an unparalleled quality of life. In cooperation with Switzerland Global Enterprise, we have prepared this guide to provide you with useful and detailed information on the business environment in Switzerland, as well as an overview of the advantages of our region in the chapters on “Innovation and Technology,” “Security and Trust,” and “Environment and Life.” You will also find contact information for the Thomas Bohn organization and our representatives: please feel free to contact us to share Executive Director, Greater Geneva Bern area your plans, your ideas or your questions. All information will be treated [email protected] confidentially. If you are as inspired by excellence and innovation as we are, it would be our pleasure to welcome you to our region and to facilitate the establishment of your company. Welcome to the Greater Geneva Bern area! Thomas Bohn HANDBOOK FOR INVESTORS 2016 3 Investment promotion The Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa) is the investment promotion agency for Western Switzerland, which comprises the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva and Valais. Its mission is to support foreign-based companies in establishing their business in Western Switzerland as smoothly and as quickly as possible. With a wealth of local knowledge and experi- ence, the GGBa provides tailor-made assistance through- out every stage of the process, from evaluating potential locations to finalizing all the minute details. Since its creation in 2010, the GGBa has provided support and assistance, in collaboration with the cantonal economic development agencies, to more than 350 companies from the world over that have set up business in the region. Image Rolex Learning Center, EPFL, Lausanne © Alain Herzog | EPFL Table of Contents SWITZERLAND – YOUR BUSINESS LOCATION 8 2.3.3 Information and Communications Technology .............. 39 2.3.4 Cleantech .......................................................................... 40 INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY 10 2.3.5 Company Headquarters ................................................... 40 The World Leader in Innovation ................................................... 11 2.3.6 Financial Services ............................................................. 41 Dynamic Poles of Excellence ......................................................... 12 2.3.7 Trading and Resources ..................................................... 41 An Efficient Educational System.................................................... 13 3 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK 42 SECURITY AND TRUST 14 3.1 International Exchange of Goods and Services ............... 44 Stable Political System ................................................................... 15 3.1.1 Free Trade Agreements, WTO, and Elimination Liberal Business Environment....................................................... 16 of Trade Restrictions ......................................................... 44 A Strong Financial Center .............................................................. 17 3.1.2 Customs and Excise .......................................................... 44 Attractive Tax Conditions ............................................................... 18 3.1.3 Rules of Origin ................................................................... 45 Authorities Readily Available to Assist Businesses ....................... 19 3.2 Protection of Free Competition ........................................ 45 3.3 Protection of Intellectual Property ................................... 46 ENVIRONMENT AND LIFE 20 3.3.1 Patents ............................................................................... 46 A Unique Quality of Living ............................................................. 21 3.3.2 Trademarks ....................................................................... 48 An International Environment ...................................................... 22 3.3.3 Design................................................................................ 48 Cutting-Edge Infrastructures ......................................................... 23 3.3.4 Copyright ........................................................................... 48 3.4 Product Regulations and Product Liability ...................... 49 1 SWITZERLAND – FACTS AND FIGURES 24 3.4.1 Foodstuffs .......................................................................... 49 1.1 Geography ......................................................................... 25 3.4.2 Pharmaceutical Products ................................................. 50 1.2 Climate .............................................................................. 25 3.4.3 Medical Devices ................................................................ 50 1.3 Political System ................................................................. 26 3.5 Land Use Planning and Environmental Protection ........ 51 1.3.1 Federal Structure .............................................................. 26 3.5.1 Building and Zoning ......................................................... 51 1.3.2 Separation of Powers at Federal Level ............................. 26 3.5.2 Environment ..................................................................... 51 1.3.3 Direct Democracy and the Concordance System ........... 27 1.3.4 Political Stability and Social Harmony ............................ 27 4 SWITZERLAND AND EUROPE 52 1.4 Public Finance .................................................................. 28 4.1 Trade and Direct Investments .......................................... 53 1.5 Neutrality........................................................................... 28 4.2 Political and Economic Cooperation ............................... 53 1.6 Population ......................................................................... 28 4.2.1 Free Movement of Persons ............................................... 54 1.7 Cosmopolitanism and International Outlook ................. 29 4.2.2 Schengen Agreement ........................................................ 55 1.7.1 Languages and Origins ..................................................... 29 4.2.3 Elimination of Technical Barriers to Trade ...................... 55 1.7.2 International Organizations ............................................. 29 4.2.4 Research ............................................................................ 55 1.8 Switzerland in Figures ...................................................... 31 4.2.5 Rail, Road, and Air Transport ........................................... 55 4.2.6 Public Procurement .......................................................... 56 2 ECONOMIC STRUCTURE 32 4.2.7 Trade in Agricultural Products ......................................... 56 2.1 Gross Domestic Product and Industry Structure ............ 33 4.2.8 Taxation of Savings Income .............................................. 57 2.2 International Integration .................................................. 36 4.3 The Euro ............................................................................ 57 2.2.1 Goods and Services Trade ................................................ 36 2.2.2 Direct Investments ............................................................ 37 5 ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING A COMPANY 58 2.3 Key Industry Clusters ........................................................ 38 5.1 Corporate Structures ........................................................ 59 2.3.1 Life Sciences: Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals, 5.1.1 Stock Corporation (AG) .................................................... 60 Biotech, Medtech .............................................................. 38 5.1.2 Limited Liability Company (GmbH) ................................ 60 2.3.2 Mechanical, Electrical Engineering and 5.1.3 Branch Office .................................................................... 60 Metals Industry ................................................................