GENERAL

Status: Constitutional State
Location: Switzerland is situated in the centre of western Europe. It borders on Germany to the north, Austria to the east, Italy to the south and France to the west.
Area: 41,293km2
Capital: Berne
Population: 7.081m
Business languages: German, French and Italian. English is often used language in internet business.
Currency: Swiss franc (SFr). SFr1=100 centimes.
Time zone: GMT +1
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 4.30pm
Climate: Temperate, with warm summers (18ºc) and cold winters (0ºc).
Average temperature of 9ºc.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Swiss Office for Trade Promotion
Stampfenbachstrasse 85
CH-8035 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel: + 41 1 3655151
Fax: + 41 1 3655221
Web: www.osec.ch

Federal Office for Foreign Economic Affairs
Bundeshaus Ost
3003 Berne
Switzerland
Tel: + 41 31 3240921
Fax: + 41 31 3241000
Web: www.bawi.admin.ch

Swiss Embassy
16-18 Montagu Place
London
W1H 2BQ
Tel: + 44 207 616 6000
Fax: + 44 207 724 7001
Web: www.swissembassy.org.uk

EXPAT EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Work permits are needed for nationals of most EU countries.

COMMUNICATIONS

Switzerland has an excellent transport system, situated at the heart of Europe, There are international airports at Basel, Geneva, and Zurich. The telecommunications network is also good with direct dialing to all international financial and industrial centres.

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STABILITY

Switzerland is highly democratic and extremely stable constitutional state recognised internationally for its neutrality and impressive industrial relations record. The country's a confederation of 21 cantons and six half cantons, each with a high degree of autonomy. Switzerland is based on the principles of freedom of trade and commerce and free enterprise. It is not a member of the UN but is a founder member of the European Trade Association.

KEY ACTIVITIES

Private and corporate banking and investment management. Switzerland is a leading banking and insurance and financial services centre with some 630 banks established there.

ADVANTAGES OF SWITZERLAND

  • Extremely stable constitutional state.
  • Educated and reliable workforce.
  • Low inflation rate.
  • Strong currency and no foreign exchange restrictions.
  • Full repatriation of profits is permitted.
  • Located at the crossroads of Europe, with efficient and extensive transport and communication systems.
  • Open to the world as a commercial nation and financial centre.

The content of this factfile is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances

This factfile also appears in the 'International Offshore and Financial Centres Handbook 1999/2000'. For further information about this highly informative guide to offshore centres, or to order your copy, please phone +44 (0) 207 820 7733 or send an email to iofch@mondaq.com