ICT and life sciences dominate company settlements
A total of 265 companies newly established themselves in Switzerland last year. Most of them are active in the ICT or life sciences sectors. Already in the first year of operation, the new settlements created almost 1200 new jobs.
The Conference of Cantonal Directors of Economic Affairs (VDK) reports that the promotion of Switzerland as a business location by the federal government, the regions and the cantons can look back on another positive year. Once a year, the VDK compiles statistics on the number of new foreign companies settling in Switzerland. According to the VDK’s current survey, a total of 265 foreign companies settled in Switzerland in 2022. They have already created a total of 1199 new jobs in the first year of operation. Over the course of three years, this figure is expected to rise to over 3100 jobs.
“Even though, with 265 companies, 17 fewer companies were settled compared to the previous year, the development of settlements has remained relatively stable over the last 10 years,” writes the VDK. And as in previous years, most of the new settlements in 2022 are active in the ICT and life sciences sectors. Regionally, around half come from the USA, Germany or France.
The focus on future technologies set out in the national location promotion strategy 2020-2023 is to be maintained in the years 2024 to 2027, the VDK explains further in the press release. Such companies also contribute “with their innovative know-how in their network to strengthening regional and local value creation as well as the SME landscape”. In addition, the VDK points to the cooperation of the Confederation and the cantons with the official Swiss organisation for export promotion and location promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise, and its representations abroad managed as Swiss Business Hubs.