Switzerland flies flag at Hannover IT fair

The Swiss flag is flying high today in the German city of Hannover as Switzerland hosts its official reception at the world's largest information technology show, CeBIT.

The Swiss flag is flying high today in the German city of Hannover as Switzerland hosts its official reception at the world’s largest information technology show, CeBIT.

With 126 companies attending, Switzerland ranks number five in the countries exhibiting at the annual World Business Fair for Office Automation, Information Technology and Telecommunications.

“The reception we are holding is an excellent platform for the Swiss to prove, to the most booming industry worldwide, that Switzerland and Swiss companies are among the most competitive players,” said Stefan Meier from the Swiss Office for Trade Promotion (OSEC).

OSEC is expecting a large crowd of visitors, not least because of the attendance of Swiss balloonist Bertrand Piccard and Britain’s Brian Jones who last year made the first non-stop balloon flight around the world.

Before the reception, an official delegation, led by David Syz from the Secretariat for Economic Affairs in Berne, will visit Swiss stands. He will be accompanied by the Swiss ambassador to Germany, Thomas Borer.

“Mr Syz is going to tell the 450 to 500 business people at the reception about the advantages of Switzerland as a reliable and innovative business partner,” Meier added.

OSEC has organised four pavilions at CeBIT and is acting as a meeting-point for visitors who wish to know what Switzerland has to offer.

The pavilions are:
– Hall 004: Stand B52 Software. E-Commerce, Services
– Hall 009: Stand A04 Information Technology, Multimedia
– Hall 017: Stand D69 Telecommunication
– Hall 016: Stand D45 Research and Technology Transfer

The CeBIT organisers are expecting 700,000 visitors to the fair, which extends over a space the size of 55 soccer pitches.