Switzerland rated highly as high-tech production centre

Even though Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, the country is a top location for high-tech companies and clearly meets international expectations, according to a newly-released poll.

Even though Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, the country is a top location for high-tech companies and clearly meets international expectations, according to a newly-released poll.

More than two-thirds of the 300 automation, electronics and information technology companies questioned in the academic study particularly appreciate the professional skills and quality of the workforce in Switzerland.

The same number of small and medium-sized companies is also very happy with how businesses operations are encouraged in Switzerland, according to the poll carried out by the University of Applied Science in Winterthur.

Only nine percent of foreign companies and 14 percent of the Swiss ones consider taxes too high.

While many Swiss captains of industry have warned about a negative impact of Switzerland’s absence from the EU, the poll found that it does not weigh heavily on company leaders’ minds.

Half of those polled do not consider non-membership a handicap for their business activities. Twenty-four percent of foreign and 38 percent of Swiss companies say it is a disadvantage for them.

Foreign companies see Switzerland in a better light than domestic companies as 47 percent of non-Swiss enterprises rate Switzerland as an internationally top market location in their industry sector.

A vast majority of businesses are optimistic about future technological developments but lament the shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the information technology and production sectors.

From staff and wire reports.