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Open market and close relationships with
the European Union
Thanks to its central location and international
orientation, the Greater Zurich Area is an ideal place from
which to cultivate both the Swiss and the European market. A
branch in the Greater Zurich Area provides access to the Swiss
domestic market – almost 8 million consumers with the world’s
highest buying power - and to the European market with its 500
million consumers.
Europe is close by. There are direct,
convenient connections between the Greater Zurich Area and the
European market via roads and railroads or via Zürich Airport.
Beyond its membership in the WTO and the EFTA, Switzerland is
linked to the EU via detailed contracts that guarantee free
trade and freedom of movement and residence between countries.
The EU is Switzerland’s most important partner – politically,
culturally and above all, economically. More than two thirds of
Switzerland’s exports are destined for the EU region, and nearly
four fifths of Swiss imports come from the EU.
Some 850’000 citizens from the 25 EU countries work in
Switzerland, accounting for more than 20% of the local
workforce. As a trading partner, Switzerland is the EU’s
third-largest supplier of goods and second-largest customer; 44%
of Swiss direct investments are made in the EU region.
 FDFA/FDEA
– Integration Office
Osec
– Business Network Switzerland
Ideal test market
In Switzerland's and the Greater Zurich Area’s
multilingual, multicultural environment, companies have access
to representative target groups, a variety of customer
mentalities, innovative local businesses, and openness towards
innovation coupled with high standards concerning the quality of
products and services. Accordingly, Switzerland and the Greater
Zurich Area are a very interesting test market for new products
and services, especially for the heterogeneous European market.
Numerous effectively networked business
partners and customers
Numerous channels facilitate the search for
business partners and customers in the Greater Zurich Area. Some
of the most helpful databases and organizations are:
Life
Sciences Institutes und Organizations in Switzerland
Hightech
Institutes und Organizations in Switzerland
Dun
& Bradstreet – Creditworthiness and Company Addresses
eFinder
– ICT Companies in Switzerland
Kompass
– International Company Directory
ofwi
teledata – Information on Swiss Companies and Individuals
swissfirms
– Informationen about Swiss Companies
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