Switzerland Scores 99 Foreign Direct Investment Projects in 2010

37 new and 16 expanded North American projects, 13 mergers/acquisitions/strategic alliances, and 33 projects from elsewhere in the world

26 Swiss firms invest in North America

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Switzerland Trade and Investment Promotion

Feb 15, 2011, 02:37 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Improving economic trends in 2010 led to an uptick in new and expanded North American foreign direct investment projects in Switzerland to 53 vs. 38 in 2009 reports Mario Brossi, North American Senior Advisor for Switzerland Trade and Investment Promotion. Additionally there were at least 13 mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances between North American and Swiss firms, and 33 investments in the alpine nation from elsewhere in the world.

During the year there were 26 investments by Swiss firms in North America, Mr. Brossi said. Projects ranged from purchasing companies to expanding existing facilities to establishing a presence in the region.

"New FDI projects demonstrate the attractiveness of the country for a company's local presence or its regional or international headquarters facility," Mr. Brossi said. "But expansions are viewed as a confirmation of a company's initial decision to locate in Switzerland. Among the 16 companies that announced expansions during 2010 are Abbott, Dow, DuPont, HP, IBM, Kraft, Wittenstein and Yahoo!"

Companies from elsewhere in the world are also finding Switzerland an attractive place from which to do business, Mr. Brossi commented. During 2010 the UK led the pack of 14 nations with 10 projects followed by Germany and France with a handful of projects each.

Small but centrally located, boasting a business-friendly government, an excellent business infrastructure and a well-educated multilingual workforce, Switzerland's attractiveness as a base for business is augmented by its continued high rankings in key FDI criteria. The 2010 rankings included: