Connect Asia and Switzerland
SwissCham Asia
We connect our members to various expertise and sectors in Switzerland and Asia.
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belt-Road-Initiative, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Thailand, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and more.
Switzerland
Switzerland, officially known as the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country situated in the heart of Europe, bordered by France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Liechtenstein. Renowned for its stunning Alpine landscapes, Switzerland is also famous for its neutrality, a policy that has kept it out of international conflicts for centuries. The country boasts a high standard of living, an advanced economy driven by sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, and a strong tradition of direct democracy, allowing citizens to vote on various issues regularly. Switzerland is multilingual, with German, French, Italian, and Romansh as its four official languages, reflecting its cultural diversity. Its capital is Bern, while Zurich is its largest city and financial hub.
Asia
Asia, the largest and most populous continent on Earth, spans a vast area from the Arctic Circle in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south and from the Middle East in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. It is a region of immense cultural, ethnic, and geographical diversity, home to both some of the world's oldest civilizations and rapidly developing modern economies. Asia's landscape varies from vast deserts and high mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas, to sprawling urban centers like Tokyo, Beijing, and Mumbai. The continent is a powerhouse of economic growth, driven by major economies such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Asia also plays a crucial role in global politics, trade, and technology, significantly influencing global trends and developments.
Switzerland-Asia
Switzerland's foreign policy towards Asian countries is characterized by a multifaceted approach aimed at fostering constructive relations, economic collaboration, and addressing global challenges.
1. Geopolitical Engagement: Switzerland recognizes the growing geopolitical importance of Asia and strives to strengthen its bilateral and multilateral relations within the region. This is reflected in Switzerland's tailored strategies for different parts of Asia, including specific policies for China and Southeast Asia. For example, Switzerland's Southeast Asia Strategy (2023-2026) aims to enhance cooperation in areas such as peace and security, prosperity, sustainability, and digitalization.
2. Economic Relations: Economic interests play a significant role in Switzerland's engagement with Asian countries. Switzerland seeks to improve market access through free trade agreements and other economic partnerships, recognizing the economic dynamism and potential of regions like Southeast Asia. Efforts are made to promote Swiss economic interests while also supporting sustainable development and social improvement in less-developed Asian countries.
3. China Strategy: Switzerland has a specific strategy for China, highlighting the importance of coherent and stable relations with Beijing. This strategy addresses economic ties, human rights issues, and environmental cooperation, balancing economic opportunities with critical dialogue on governance and human rights.
4. Sustainability and Innovation: Switzerland emphasizes sustainability and innovation in its relations with Asian countries. This includes cooperation on climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and sustainable energy solutions. Switzerland also promotes science diplomacy and digitalization as part of its foreign policy framework.
5. Human Rights and Governance: Promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance is a cornerstone of Swiss foreign policy. Switzerland engages in dialogues and initiatives aimed at improving governance standards and human rights conditions in various Asian countries.
Overall, Switzerland's policy towards Asia is comprehensive, focusing on economic collaboration, sustainability, human rights, and strategic geopolitical partnerships to address both regional and global challenges.
What We Provide
01
Roundtable Discussion
The round table discussion aims to foster an open, collaborative dialogue between key stakeholders from Switzerland and Asia. The focus will be on exploring mutual opportunities, addressing common challenges, and enhancing economic, business, and cultural relations.
02
Business Consulting
SwissCham Asia aims to assist businesses in navigating the complexities of cross-regional trade, investment, and collaboration between Switzerland and Asia. This service is designed to leverage the Chamber's extensive expertise and network to offer strategic advice and practical solutions to companies seeking to expand or enhance their operations in these regions.
03
Event Organising
SwissCham Asia event-organizing services are designed to create memorable and impactful experiences that advance its mission of connecting Switzerland and Asia, fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration across multiple dimensions.
04
ThinkTank
SwissCham Asia aims to serve as a premier intellectual hub that fosters research, dialogue, and strategic insights on key issues impacting the relationship between Switzerland and Asia. This initiative is designed to leverage the expertise of scholars, industry leaders, policymakers, and cultural ambassadors to provide thought leadership and innovative solutions to enhance bilateral ties.
05
Networking
SwissCham Asia platform is an ideal hub to create memorable and impactful experiences that advance its mission of connecting Switzerland and Asia, fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration across multiple dimensions.
06
Consul Service
SwissCham Asia provides counselling services to assist companies in navigating document legalization and product registration for importing Swiss products into different countries. The Hague Apostille Convention allows documents with an Apostille to be accepted in member countries without further certification. SwissCham Asia also offers expert consular services for countries not part of the convention, covering the legalization of important documents and product registrations to facilitate import into target markets.
The [SwissCham Asia Brief] is meticulously crafted to give Swiss-Asian business stakeholders a comprehensive understanding of Asia's rapidly changing economic and business landscapes. This region presents a dynamic blend of challenges and opportunities crucial for Swiss businesses and their global counterparts. Major economies like China, Japan, and India remain central to global trade, while Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are increasingly significant in global supply chains. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are experiencing robust growth in the Middle East, propelled by ambitious economic diversification strategies. Simultaneously, smaller economies such as Laos and Cambodia focus on infrastructure development and economic diversification to secure sustainable growth. Through the [SwissCham Asia Brief], we aim to empower our members with enhanced strategic positioning and informed decision-making, fostering success for Swiss and Asian businesses within the dynamic Asian market.