Switzerland’s economic strengths highlighted before a trade mission to Zurich.

In preparation for its upcoming economic mission to Zurich, scheduled for March 2026, the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) organised a “Business Destination” conference on Tuesday, 18 November at MonacoTech. The event was held in partnership with the Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Monaco and in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in France and Monaco, and focused on one of the world’s most high-performing countries: Switzerland.

After a welcome speech by Guillaume Rose, CEO of the MEB, and a talk by H.E. Ms Carole Lanteri, Monaco’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, H.E. Ms Tania Cavassini highlighted the advantages of an economy consistently ranked as one of the most competitive and innovative worldwide.

The Ambassador emphasised Switzerland's impressive economic diversity, which includes a strong industrial sector (such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, and watchmaking), a major financial hub, and an advanced, thriving tertiary sector. This diversity largely accounts for the country's resilience, which is further bolstered by careful public financial management and a strong culture of citizen consultation.

Innovation is at the heart of the Swiss model. For the 15th year in a row, Switzerland leads the WIPO Global Innovation Index. Its strong investment in R&D, top-tier educational system, and close collaboration between universities and businesses foster an environment that attracts talent and investors.

The Swiss business environment is characterised by its flexibility, with a liberal labour market, its accessibility, which makes recruiting European talent straightforward, and its competitive tax system, where tax rates generally range from 12 to 15% across most cantons. This supportive environment accounts for over 850 regional headquarters of multinational corporations being based in the country.

The conference wrapped up with a Q&A session, reaffirming Monegasque companies' interest in a market that is both stable and lively. Switzerland's strengths frequently mirrored those of the Principality, indicating many potential synergies. The MEB's upcoming mission to Zurich promises to be an excellent chance to delve into this unique ecosystem.