Presentation of the Greater Geneva Berne area, the official economic development agency of Western Switzerland

1. Invest in the “Greater Geneva Berne area” (Western Switzerland)
Germany
France
Italy
Gateway to success

2. The Greater Geneva Berne area (GGBa)
Germany
An economic development agency that represents 6 states
(or cantons) of Western Switzerland:
Berne, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchatel, Geneva and Valais
France
Provides support, free of charge, to companies looking
to establish business operations in Europe.
GGBa’s support includes:
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Dialogue about investment plans and international expansion
strategies
Provision of information and business contacts incl. (e.g. with
local authorities, universities, regulators, service providers, etc.)
Organization of evaluation visits in a selection of GGBa cantons
Practical support (legal entity establishment, real estate,
taxation, work permits, private relocation, etc.)
Italy

3. Why invest in the GGBa?
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International and multilingual environment
Political, legal and social stability
State-of-the-art services and infrastructure
Location at the real heart of European; integration into the Schengen (visa) area
Free Trade Agreement with China
Liberal labour laws and diligent workforce
Leading academic institutions, collaborating actively with the private sector
Concentrated expertise in science and technology, R&D, intellectual property and
manufacturing
Competitive taxation
Excellent quality of life
Proactive authorities ready to help

4. Why is GGBa a gateway to Europe?
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Exceptionally pro-business conditions
70% of the US companies chose Switzerland as European HQ location
Over 1,000 foreign companies steer their European or global activities from
Switzerland
What are the typical international functions in GGBa?
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Regional headquarters (for Europe, Middle East, India, Africa, etc.)
Regional sales/sales support
Procurement centers (for products, brand equity, etc.)
Scouting for M&A, partners & distributors
R&D including Intellectual Property ownership and management
High-value-added manufacturing

5. Our Strongest Clusters?
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Information & Communication Technologies
Life Sciences (biotechnology, pharma, medical technology)
Energy and Environmental Technologies (cleantech)
Watch-making, Luxury Goods, Cosmetics & Fragrances
Micro/nano Technologies
Nutrition and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
Banking, Finance
International Trading
International Organizations

6. More Information?
Switzerland
World Trade Center
Avenue de Gratta-Paille 2, PO Box 252
1000 Lausanne 22
China
25th Floor, Wheelock Square, 1717 Nanjing
West Road
Jing-An District, Shanghai,
Tél. +41 21 644 00 90
Fax +41 21 644 00 99
Tel: +86 21 61574955
Fax: +86 21 61575165
www.ggba-switzerland.ch
info@ggba-switzerland.ch
www.ggba-switzerland.cn
s.zhou@ggba-switzerland.ch
Contact: Philippe D. Monnier,
Executive Director
Contact: Shun ZHOU,
Chief Representative China