Annual report 2021

Introduction

Dear reader,

Last year, 86 foreign companies established new business operations in Western Switzerland, with the support of GGBa and the cantonal economic development agencies of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva, and Valais. These welcome newcomers hail from 22 countries worldwide, with neighboring France consistently representing the main source of investment. We are very proud to share some of these success stories in the Testimonials section of our annual report.

In statistical terms, 2021 was a year of continuity for GGBa, as performance was similar to that of 2020. The overall context in which we had to operate was still dominated by the covid-19 pandemic and its repercussions. Travel restrictions and lingering uncertainty around new outbreaks had a strong impact on the number of evaluation visits and investment decisions.

Against this backdrop, GGBa focused on strengthening its sector-specific approach. We continued to enhance our in-house business intelligence service, developed promotional activities around life sciences, agritech, and cybersecurity, and adapted our strategy to more proactively cover the job-creating biomanufacturing sector. Some of the key initiatives we undertook are compiled in the Highlights section of this report.

Despite the full recovery of global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, and the gradual improvement in the pandemic, significant risks and uncertainties persist, particularly in relation with the current situation in Ukraine. However, Western Switzerland’s solid track record as a destination of choice for international investors, combined with our strong project pipeline, allow for confidence in 2022 and beyond.

On behalf of Western Switzerland’s investment promotion team, I wish you an insightful read.