Switzerland is one of the world's leading countries in the fields of intellectual development, patenting, research and development. In other words, Switzerland is a small country but a world leader in scientific and technological inventions, universities and companies, thus laying a solid foundation for competing on all fronts in the 21st century.
Switzerland is one of the few countries to have fully realized the importance of investing in intelligence and to have put it into practice. The result of this long-term effort is that, in proportion to its population (per million people), Switzerland files the most patents each year. Switzerland has more patents filed annually than France, Japan and the United Kingdom, and in absolute terms it is second only to the United States and Germany.
Scientific research: Switzerland spends the most per capita on scientific research in the world. Every year, Switzerland spends up to 10 billion Swiss francs on research. Only a quarter of the total is invested by the government, while the rest comes from the business sector. The chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the electronics sector and the machinery industry all invest in their own research activities. In addition, the Swiss business community spends up to 8 billion Swiss francs a year on research in foreign companies and research institutes.
It is precisely because of Switzerland's excellent research base that internationally renowned companies and research institutes, such as the Batelle Institute and IBM, have set up various research centers in Switzerland. The IBM center in Switzerland alone is home to many Nobel Prize winners in physics. Thanks to the excellent conditions and foundations in Switzerland, other famous international companies have also set up high-level, cutting-edge technology research centers in Switzerland, covering the pharmaceutical industry, precision instruments and microelectronics. The internationally renowned Medtronic (engaged in electronic medical equipment) has had its European headquarters in Switzerland since 1996, and recently invested millions of Swiss francs to set up a chief researcher's fund in Lausanne to engage in cardiovascular research.
The emphasis on intellectual investment and research has resulted in Switzerland being a world leader in many fields of research. According to statistics on innovation capacity, expressed as growth rates in cutting-edge technology areas, Switzerland maintains the highest growth rates in seven of the 10 cutting-edge technology areas. Switzerland ranks first in protein synthesis and second in robotics. Not surprisingly, Switzerland has the highest proportion of Nobel Prize winners in the world on a per capita basis (per million population).
Switzerland is the most far-sighted and creative of all European countries. With such advanced scientific and technological know-how and tools, Switzerland has laid a solid foundation and has the best opportunities to participate in the global technological and industrial competition of the 21st century. A country entirely dependent on trade
A long commercial tradition, a wealth of industrial experience and the quality of its products have made the small country of Switzerland one of the world's leading trading powers. Our country has a strong trump card in this regard: training of personnel, infrastructure, services and advice, etc., which has led to strong, friendly and mutually beneficial relations with its trading partners.
Switzerland ranks alongside Singapore, Hong Kong and Belgium as one of the world's top four markets in terms of exports per capita. Today, half of the Swiss economy's income comes from foreign trade.
Switzerland's trade competitiveness is due to the following factors:
Switzerland is located in the heart of Europe;
Switzerland's people are multilingual (German, French, Italian, English);
Switzerland's vocational training is second to none;
Switzerland's quality of products is top-notch and recognized worldwide;
Switzerland's political stability, harmonious labor relations and few strikes.
Switzerland's political stability and harmonious labor relations, with few strikes;
Switzerland's long and efficient labor hours;
Switzerland's world-class infrastructure (transportation, communications, etc.);
Switzerland's AAA-quality services (banking, insurance, etc.);
Switzerland's ability to take advantage of the international division of labor;
Switzerland's scientific research is among the world's best;
Switzerland's scientific research is one of the world's best.
Switzerland is a neutral country and hosts numerous international organizations.
For all these reasons, it is not surprising that Switzerland's foreign trade has always performed exceptionally well: in 1999, merchandise exports rose by 4.9% over the previous year to CHF 114 billion, while imports increased by 6.1% over the previous year to CHF 113 billion. In addition, Switzerland earned 15 billion Swiss francs from exports and imports of services.
The fact that Switzerland's annual imports amounted to CHF 113 billion, or an average of CHF 16,000 per inhabitant, demonstrates the benefits of trade with Switzerland for trading partners. Switzerland buys from its customers as much as it sells to them. This is called fair trade. Take trade with China, for example, where Switzerland exports textile machinery and imports a wide range of textiles and large quantities of silk.
The strength of the Swiss economy lies in the fact that its companies specialize in products that are rare and in great demand. Prices for its products on the international market rose another 1.4 percent during the year.
This is why Switzerland has had a surplus in foreign trade for seven consecutive years despite the recent economic crisis in Asia. This is a rarity in the world.
In short, companies from all over the world, including Chinese importers and exporters, have always regarded Switzerland as a reliable trading partner. It not only provides high-quality products, but is also an important customer in its own right.
Switzerland is indeed a symbol of quality products and international trade.
A country with a good life and a dedicated workforce
Despite its limited size and a population of only seven million, Switzerland is not only a tourist destination, but also a surprisingly strong economic powerhouse. The high level of intellectual investment, harmonious labor relations, stable political structure, extraordinary industrial performance and excellent infrastructure have made Switzerland an industrial and trade powerhouse and a haven for foreign investors.
Switzerland is a country where life is comfortable. According to the results of happiness surveys conducted in a number of countries, including Switzerland, the Swiss have the highest satisfaction rate in the world at 8.21/10.
Analysis of public opinion polls shows that the most important elements for detecting people's satisfaction rate are, in order, employment, health and inflation. Switzerland's unemployment rate is the lowest in Europe, its life expectancy is in the mid-80s and inflation is rarely felt.
With this in mind, Switzerland's high national satisfaction score of 8.21 is well founded. But don't be surprised by another paradox: Switzerland is also a hard-working country. A closer look at Swiss schedules shows this.
The average Swiss person works more than 40 hours a week. This also shows that long working hours do not cause high unemployment. These long working hours are chosen by Swiss citizens themselves. In accordance with the procedures of direct democracy, the Swiss have a great deal of influence over their own destiny. This sense of popular ownership increases the rate of satisfaction. The fact that strikes have been low since 1937, when a "peace at work agreement" was reached between trade unions and employers, has also contributed to the steady growth of the economy and has been one of the major advantages of Switzerland's success in attracting many foreign investors.
On the face of it, Switzerland has high wage costs. In reality, however, due to high productivity and a low percentage of state withdrawals, labor costs in Switzerland are actually not that high compared to the highly socialized countries of Europe. Together with other favorable conditions, foreign investment in Switzerland, especially by American companies, is still on the rise, while it has declined in other parts of the world.
More importantly, Switzerland has a highly developed national economy, with a large number of efficient small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations and groups that are among the world's strongest. On the one hand, Switzerland exports high value-added products and is highly competitive internationally; on the other hand, the population has strong purchasing power and imports large quantities. In this way, the volume of imports and exports is balanced, thus contributing to the stability of society as a whole.
All in all, it is no coincidence that Switzerland has attracted the attention of the business community, including Chinese businessmen, because of its good and reliable industries: political stability, social harmony, good order, favorable taxation, reliable industries, and world-renowned quality products.
There are many reasons to strengthen ties with a country where people live well and work hard!
Switzerland, this is Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the most modern and sophisticated countries in the world, and it is difficult to understand the rapid industrialization of Switzerland from the 19th century onwards, with a very high export ratio. Until the 19th century, there were famines in Switzerland. How did such a small and poor country industrialize so quickly in such a short period of time and become the world's leading exporter of industrial goods in the second half of the 20th century?
It is true that Switzerland's exports of industrial and manufactured goods to the world total some 120 billion Swiss francs a year and are still growing. Specifically, machinery and equipment, electro-technical products, and metal-working products together amount to more than 30 billion Swiss francs; chemical and pharmaceutical products to about 30 billion Swiss francs; and watch and timekeeping products to 9 billion Swiss francs, all of which are favored by customers all over China.
In addition to its well-known fine watches, delicious chocolates and efficient banks, Switzerland has a strong presence in the machine tool industry, advanced tools, transmission machinery, installation equipment, precision instruments, measuring instruments, plastics processing equipment, printing equipment, communication and dissemination equipment, electronic instruments, electronic control equipment, energy distributors, specialized equipment and installations for the chemical and food industries, packaging machinery, industrial boilers, environmental protection equipment, storage facilities, transportation and handling equipment. equipment, storage facilities, transportation and handling equipment, medical devices, micro-technology and microelectronics equipment, and many other fields are in the world's leading position.
There are three reasons why Switzerland is at the forefront of cutting-edge technology:
A good tradition of craftsmanship since the 17th century, characterized by dedication and conscientiousness, and a commitment to excellence;
Successful popularization of education and the development of intellect, which has been utilized since the mid-19th century;
Compared to most industrialized countries, the value created per unit of Swiss industry is higher. Swiss industry has a higher value created per unit.
In addition to these historical factors, we should also take into account:
a very high investment in research in the industrial sector;
a very high level of higher education, with a very high level of professional training (engineers, technicians);
a stable and harmonious social environment; and
advised and specialized services for customers, as well as a strong technical service.
These are the trump card advantages that enable Switzerland to export 70% of its manufactured goods abroad and to maintain a standard of living well above the international average.
These advantages explain why Switzerland, a small country, has been able to provide the world with cutting-edge products, and has been able to maintain its leading position in many fields of technology with high-quality products, a good reputation, and perfect technical support and after-sales service.