Three years ago UK Trade & Investment launched its strategy ‘Prosperity in a Changing World’, setting new directions for a realigned and better performing organisation.  The team in Switzerland has worked to meet the strategy goals of positioning the UK to better adapt to a changing global economy, marketing the UK as the place for business, building better links with businesses and working with them,
UK Trade and Investment is proud of its successes in Switzerland.  British companies have been helped to develop their business in the Swiss market and Swiss businesses have established themselves in the United Kingdom with the support of the trade and investment teams based in Berne and Geneva.

The longest railway tunnel will feature a British firm, Balfour Beatty Rail, as part of the successful Transec consortium, thanks to information and contacts provided by the trade and investment team at the Embassy in Berne. Signed in April 2008, the contract is worth 250 million euro and offers the potential to lead to further contracts for them and other UK firms in the short term and further ahead.

Over 1000 services have been provided to businesses in the United Kingdom, with over 350 intensive or substantial pieces of support since the Strategy was launched in July 2006.  The current economic downturn has not changed this and the team has many projects in the pipeline.

Swiss companies have been helped to invest in the UK.  Lemo SA, a major producer of high-value electronic connectors, is expanding its existing production site in Worthing, having received guidance and support on the planning processes from the Embassy.  Swiss vegetarian restaurant chain, Tibits, opened in London, creating new employment for 100 people, following support from UK Trade & Investment Switzerland which ranged from finding agents for securing a location to assisting with information on legislation, employment, work permits, rental costs and conditions.  20 businesses from Switzerland and Lichtenstein have established or expanded their presence in the UK in the last three years as a direct result of help received, thus creating jobs and sharing expertise.

The team based at the Consulate-General in Geneva has provided a full range of support, in particular to UK businesses looking to sell to the United Nations, International Red Cross and other international organisations based there as well as to CERN, the European Particle Physics Laboratory.

Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Switzerland Sarah Doig said:

The past three years have been good for Switzerland and Britain.  Trade and investment links have gone from strength to strength.  British businesses have been able to develop their activities with Swiss partners and purchasers, and Swiss companies have invested and grown in the UK.  We will be working hard with our business and investment partners to ensure that this upward trend continues and develops further in the coming years.