Industry/Services
The Swiss industry concentrates on highly developed specialized
products and services. The strengths which distinguishes Swiss firms from their
competitors are product quality and reliability as well as innovation and customization.Mechanical
and electrical engineering
Accounts for 44 % of all export earnings. Almost half of the total workforce is
employed in this largest industrial sector. Switzerland ranks 2nd worldwide as
exporter of paper processing machines, 4th for food processing and packaging
machinery, 5th for machine tools as well as precision weighing equipment.
Chemical and
pharmaceutical
Major companies are concentrated in the Basel area. The industry offers a wide
variety ranging from dyestuffs, aromatic substances and fragrances to medicines, vitamins,
insecticides, plastics and invests heavily in R&D (40 % of total Swiss R&D
investment)
Watch making
Exemplifies the hallmarks of Swiss industry: precision engineering and high
quality. In number of units produced Swiss companies contribute 16 % and by value 57 % of
the world's watch production.
Textile
One of Switzerland's oldest industry. It became the 4th largest export
earner and produces over 40’000 design patterns annually.
Food & beverages
From Switzerland particularly well known are chocolate, cheese, wines.
Banking
One of the pillars of the Swiss economy in terms of gross value added.
Insurance/reinsurance
A top performing industry in terms of the ratio of premiums to gross domestic
product and on a per capita basis. Half of the companies income comes from premium earned
abroad.
Tourism
Still a thriving source of income: the 3rd largest foreign exchange
earner.
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