Switzerland : Fact Sheet (Source : CIA )

Background:

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Switzerland's sovreignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.

India - Switzerland Bilateral Relations:

Swiss interest in trade with India dates back to 1856 when the Volkaart brothers - sometimes referred to as the Swiss East Indian Company, established a trading office in India. Several Swiss companies like Nestle, ABB had been active in India even before India's independence. Five decades back, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru signed India's first friendship pact which happened to be with Switzerland on August 14, 1948. Since then, the Indo-Swiss bilateral relations have reached greater heights. Opportunities are expanding for both the countries to explore and exploit to mutual interest.

Both sides have some core competencies and business communities have always strived to put together these competencies, resulting in increased trade and investment flows between our two countries.

Bilateral trade and investment statistics between India and Switzerland are shown below:

Indo-Swiss Bilateral Trade:

Source: DGFT

Main Indian Exports Items

77% consists of Coffee, Tea, hand-knotted carpets, plastics, organic chemicals, readymade garments, textiles, precious stones jewellery, dyestuffs, leather products etc.

Main Swiss Exports Items

Organic chemicals, pharmaceutical products, dyestuffs, essential oils/cosmetics, plastics, precision machinery, electrical machinery, watches and parts thereof.

FDI Inflows from Switzerland to India:

The business partnerships between Swiss and Indian companies, especially in the form of joint venture or subsidiary companies, are increasing year-after-year, especially in areas like services, engineering, textile, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. FDI inflows from Switzerland to India amount to US$ 692.17 million (Aug 91 - Mar 07).

Major Swiss Investors in India:

ABB, Sulzer, Nestle, EMS Inventa, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Rieter, Electrowatt, Novartis, Alusuisse, Bühler etc.

Indian Companies in Switzerland:

TATA AG, Birla AG, Ramco, Infosys, Wipro, TCS

Bilateral Visits:

The strong relationship between Switzerland and India has been continually strengthened by Indian and Swiss dignitaries who believed in the potential of sharing ideas and concrete projects together. Therefore it is not surprising that the first ever friendship treaty signed by Independent India was with Switzerland, signed by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 14th August 1948. Ever since, the two countries have maintained a cordial friendship, kept alive by regular visits, and economic and cultural activities. Many bilateral agreements have also been signed.

Visits by Swiss Dignitaries to India :

Visits by Indian Dignitaries to Switzerland :

Bilateral Agreements :

• The Treaty of Friendship and Establishment of 14th August 1948, which came into force on 5th May 1948 (AS 1949, I 431/RO 1949, I, 431).
  
• Indo Swiss Agreement on Technical and Scientific Co-operation signed on 27th September 1966.
  
• The Exchange of Letters on 20th February 1989 between Switzerland and India concerning assistance in criminal matters, which came into force on 20th February 1989 (AS 1989, 777/ RO 1998, 777).
  
• The Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of India for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to income taxes, which came into force on 29th December 1994 (AS 1995, 845/RO 1995, 845).
  
• Agreement on Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology for 5 years was signed on 13th September 1999.
  
• The Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of India for the Promotion and Protection of Investments , which came into force on 16 February 2000.
  
• Indo-Swiss agreement relating to Co-operation in Air Services signed on 2nd May 2001.
  
• Agreement between the Swiss Federal Council and the Government of the Republic of India on Co-operation in the fields of Science and Technology signed on 10th November 2003.

FICCI INITIATIVES WITH SWITZERLAND

• Special address by HE Mr Joseph Deiss, Federal Councillor of Switzerland on " India and Switzerland - A Winning Partnership" on 23rd January 2006 at Federation House, New Delhi.
  
• Meeting in honour of H E Mr Pascal Couchepin, President of the Swiss Confederation in November 2003.
  
• FICCI organised an Seminar on "Strategic Options for Business Growth in Europe" during the visit of Mr Francis Sermet, CEO of DEWS Development Economic, Western Switzerland on 1st August 2002.
• FICCI jointly with DIPP organised the Destination India event in Switzerland on 19th June 2002.The events were organised in Zurich in co-operation with SOFI, Swiss Organisation for Facilitating Investments. This was followed by meeting with the Swiss Minister for Economy in Berne and visit to Laussane, the biotech hub of Europe .There were visits to EPFL and meeting with officials from Development Economic Western Switzerland.
• During the Destination India events in Switzerland FICCI entered in to institutional tie-up with SOFI in June 2002
• FICCI Organised an Interactive meeting with H E Mr Pascal Couchepin, Minister of Economy of Switzerland on 15th February,2000.

updated on 01-09-2007