NEWS
FROM:
Location:Switzerland+
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North American Investment in Switzerland Sharply
Increased in 2005
60 New and Expanded Projects Highest Since 2000
NEW
YORK, Feb. 14 - Location: Switzerland, the Swiss Foreign Investment Agency,
reports that during 2005 there were 41 new investment projects and 19
expansions by existing investors from the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to Mario Brossi, the organization's Senior Representative for North
America, comparable figures for 2004 were 18 new and 10 expanded projects.
"By all accounts this represents the best year
going back to the year 2000, before the collapse of the US financial markets
and the bursting of the IT bubble," Mr. Brossi commented.
"Moreover, this impressive upswing is also confirmed by the wave of
mergers and acquisitions published recently by the Handels Zeitung. According
to the leading Swiss financial paper," he said, "413 Swiss firms were
involved in such significant transactions during the course of the year. The
413 transactions reportedly represents a 12% increase over the prior year and
more importantly an all time high going back at least fifteen years."
Mr.
Brossi credited Switzerland's pro-business government, central position in the
heart of Europe, multicultural and multilingual workforce as among reasons why
it has long been a favorite destination of North American investment.
"These factors, when coupled with its world leading quality of life and
one of the more moderate tax regimes in Europe have made Switzerland year in
and year out a favorite location for North American companies seeking to expand
in Europe," he said.
While
there are a host of different reasons considered by multinational firms in
selecting their overseas bases of operations, Switzerland continues to be well
positioned to actively compete for such investments. This is also born out by a
recently released study jointly authored by the Boston Consulting Group and the
Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. "There is growing recognition in
Switzerland that framework conditions and other competitive considerations need
to be continually monitored," Mr. Brossi stated. "We are
enthusiastic about the commitment of various Swiss governmental and private
sector leaders to undertake such an ongoing improvement process."
Individual
project announcements of companies that have recently invested or expanded in
Switzerland can be found under the News icon/Press Releases at www.locationswitzerland.com
and www.locationswitzerland.ch.
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For
further information: John Williamson (908) 730-9622