On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Swiss Confederation and the United Arab Emirates, a high-level delegation from the United Arab Emirates visited the Swiss capital, Bern, at the beginning of March last year. The delegation was led by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and included several meetings with Swiss officials, including Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs H.E. Helen Budliger Artieda.

In addition to government officials, the UAE delegation included top executives from companies representing high-growth industries such as banking and finance, aviation, trade, investment, healthcare, and advanced technology, including representatives from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Chamber, Emirates Airlines, M42, Abu Dhabi-based Global Healthcare Services, Emirates Insurance Company, Ajman Chamber of Commerce, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Hub71, and others.

The delegation also visited leading Swiss private sector companies, including the headquarters of Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, where they discussed partnership prospects, particularly with the newly established Emirates Pharmaceuticals Foundation in the UAE, of which Dr. Al Zeyoudi is the Chairman of the Board. The tours also included Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., a Swiss aircraft manufacturing company collaborating with the Emirati company Strata to enhance advanced manufacturing capabilities in the country and support its knowledge-based economy.

Furthermore, a celebration marking this occasion was organized under the sponsorship of the UAE Embassy in Bern, attended by the high-level Emirati delegation, Swiss officials led by the H.E. Helen Budliger Artieda, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, and representatives of leading companies and investors from both countries to explore high-potential investment and partnership opportunities.

The meeting was opened by Michel Lane, President of the Swiss Business Council. The meeting included speeches from Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, Helen Budliger Artieda, Swiss Minister of Economy, and Dr. Hissa Abdulla Ahmed Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

During the celebration, achievements in Emirati-Swiss relations were reviewed, and the meeting served as an opportunity to showcase the advantages each country offers to investors, business owners, and projects.

In his address during the forum, Dr. Al Zeyoudi, emphasized Switzerland's role as an important trading and investment partner for the UAE. He highlighted Switzerland as the leading European destination for non-oil Emirati exports, ranking fourth globally with a value of $9.5 billion in 2023. He noted that the trade volume between the two countries exceeded $22.3 billion in 2023, representing a 41.2% increase from 2022 and confirming the synergy between their economies. He affirmed that Switzerland shares the UAE's vision for sustainable long-term economic growth built on knowledge and innovation, providing a platform for deeper cooperation. By combining the public and private sectors, he emphasized that the Emirati-Swiss Economic Forum is one of the best ways to identify and explore these opportunities, build connections, and networks that will support another 50 years of positive relations between the UAE and Switzerland.

He also pointed out areas of Emirati-Swiss cooperation in various fields such as alternative fuels, trade finance, biotechnology, and medical technology research, aiming for greater economic integration. He promoted the benefits of the dynamic business landscape in the UAE to attract Swiss companies seeking to expand into Asian and African markets, including its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and logistical capabilities. The Swiss cybersecurity company ZENDATA is a recent addition to the NextGen program for foreign direct investment, which helps innovative companies from around the world establish or expand their operations in the UAE[1].

In his intervention, the Minister of Trade emphasized that the trade sector in the UAE has grown by 3% over the past three years, highlighting the UAE's reliance on three pillars: technology, human capital, and market access. Regarding technology, the aim is to serve human being, focusing on sectors such as healthcare, education, and aviation. Concerning human capital, the UAE works on attracting talents through its immigration system, attracting many entrepreneurs and investors. Regarding market access, the UAE strives for diversity and has signed 14 free trade agreements in the past decade. It is also part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and it recognizes the importance of investing in emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Additionally, there is a focus on the service sector as a game changer, with the UAE being a global hub for re-export, connecting with 400 cities worldwide. The UAE is also considered one of five green hubs for global trade, facilitating trade in rice and diamonds.

Rashed AlBlooshi, the undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, highlighted the advantages of investing in the UAE, where the GDP reaches around $500 billion. The UAE has a future vision for a knowledge-based economy, with flourishing sectors including industry, pharmaceuticals, and finance, along with developments in aerospace, medical technology, and the environment.

Tariq Al Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary of Advanced Technology at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, emphasized the competitiveness of the UAE's economy, which ranks first in the region. The industrial sector has witnessed significant growth, with industrial exports reaching around $47 billion, including petroleum refining, chemicals, and steel industries. Incentives for investors include competitive energy prices, availability of clean energy, central geographic location, land availability, robust infrastructure for communications and transportation, low tax rates, human capital, financial incentives, and a stable political environment.

During her address at the forum, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helen Budliger Artieda, affirmed the available opportunities in Switzerland for the business community, emphasizing that Switzerland enjoys one of the most prosperous economies. Stability is one of the distinguishing factors of Switzerland, along with a good regulatory environment. She added that transparency, neutrality, and predictable environment are crucial factors that strengthen the Swiss economy. She also pointed out important economic sectors in Switzerland, such as intellectual property rights, innovation, and technology. The significance of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was highlighted as it provides international dimension to the Swiss economy. She highlighted that one of the main characteristics of governance in Switzerland is the partnership between the public and private sectors, with the government adopting policies that involve citizens in decision-making processes. Switzerland benefits from a multicultural and multilingual environment, with one of the strongest universities and scientific institutes. She added that the Swiss government invests in basic research and supports startups through incubators and accelerators. Switzerland also boasts one of the best dual education and training systems globally, with statistics showing that one in three students pursues higher education, with the majority opting for vocational training. Switzerland spends around 5.6% of its GDP on education.

On the other hand, the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was emphasized, as Swiss companies operate internationally due to the small domestic market. Major global companies have branches in Switzerland due to its competitive environment. Switzerland also assists Swiss companies in expanding into foreign markets through its institution “Switzerland Global Enterprise”. The Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs highlighted the strong partnership between Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, considering the UAE as a key partner for Switzerland in the region.

At the end of the forum, a joint panel was held with experts from both sides and participation from Swiss and Emirati companies. They emphasize the need of utilizing available expertise from both sides regarding best practices to facilitate the entry of companies into new markets. The economic model of Hong Kong has been cited as one of the successful models. Future prospects for cooperation, especially in the development of artificial intelligence and research and development, were also addressed.

In conclusion, the importance of cross-border partnership was affirmed, reflected in the strong and long-standing bilateral relations between Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, benefiting both countries.

[1] The NEXTGEN FDI program is a national initiative launched by the Ministry of Economy. The initiative aims to attract digital companies from around the world and provide them with the necessary fundamentals to enter the market and expand within the United Arab Emirates.

The meeting discussed the efforts to prepare the cooperation programme between Egypt and Switzerland for 2025-2028

Rania A. Al-Mashat, the Minister of International Cooperation and Egypt’s Governor at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, met with Patricia Danzi, the Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and Maya Tesavi, the Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today. The meeting was attended by Yvonne Baumann, the Swiss Ambassador to Egypt, and officials from the Swiss Embassy and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The meeting discussed the efforts to prepare the cooperation programme between Egypt and Switzerland for 2025-2028, which will follow the current Swiss cooperation programme from 2021-2024, covering governance, human rights, green growth, youth skills development, protection issues, and migration.

Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of the Egyptian-Swiss economic cooperation relations and the Egyptian government’s keenness to strengthen this partnership and expand it to serve the national development agenda and the implementation of development priorities in various fields.

She also reviewed the cooperation with the institutions of the Team Europe Initiative from 2020-2023 and the preparation for the future period of joint work, referring to the comprehensive report on the Egyptian development cooperation relations under the title “Egypt & Team Europe: A Shared Development Vision for Progress and Prosperity.”

She added that Egyptian-European relations are developing within a framework of integration and partnership that meets the development requirements following the national development priorities and determinants.

She explained that the projects within the NWFE programme, a nexus of water, food and energy projects, achieve many goals, such as advancing towards comprehensive development in various parts of Egypt, diversifying between mitigation and adaptation projects to cope with climate change, implementing water desalination projects, supporting the capabilities of small farmers to adapt to climate change, increasing agricultural crop productivity and farmers’ incomes through the use of modern technology and clean energy, and benefiting from innovative financing tools to mobilize investments worth $14.7bn.

Patricia Danzi, the Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, stated, “In November 2023, Switzerland disbursed an additional $102m in response to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the region, which will address basic humanitarian needs such as water, food and medical care.”

Source: Zawya

Saudi Arabia and Switzerland hosted the first-ever Saudi-Swiss CleanTech Forum in 2023. The event brought together Swiss companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase innovative solutions to address global challenges, combat climate change, and promote sustainability.

The forum was a partnership between the Embassy of Switzerland in Saudi Arabia, the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA), and King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology (KACST). It aimed to boost international trade and economic ties between the two nations.

Discussions at the forum also revolved around the benefits of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which strives to make the country a major industrial power and a global logistics hub.

In his keynote speech, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, highlighted the importance of the partnership between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, as well as the challenges facing the environment. He also stated that Saudi Arabia is a leading country in the Middle East for private sector investment, with around $5.5 billion invested in 2022.

Al-Ibrahim mentioned several significant projects, including the NEOM green hydrogen projects and a carbon capture facility. The NEOM green hydrogen projects, which are expected to be commissioned in 2026, will be the world's largest green energy facility and will be powered entirely by renewable energy.

Switzerland is known for its innovation and utilizes a "bottom-up" approach, with the government focusing on education and fundamental research to support companies. In an interview with Arab News, Helene Budliger Artieda, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, explained that the government's primary role is centered on funding a robust education system and supporting fundamental research at universities.

Artieda added that transitioning to a greener world is a key priority for both Saudi Arabia and Switzerland. She highlighted Switzerland's expertise in areas such as railways and water treatment and management. She also mentioned that there are various investment opportunities that Switzerland might be interested in, such as the Kingdom's vast areas, abundant solar parks, and green hydrogen initiatives.

Artieda emphasized the presence of numerous niche opportunities in the Kingdom, including investments in sustainable Saudi fashion. She noted that Switzerland has a well-established textile industry. She also expressed interest in the significant developments occurring in the global fashion industry, implying that Saudi Arabia is eager to align with global trends and standards, particularly those related to sustainability.

On Sunday, Artieda held a meeting with the minister of economy and planning to discuss ways to expand economic relationships, explore the potential for trade and investment collaboration between their respective countries, and review topics of mutual interest. She emphasized the significance of establishing a robust framework to facilitate this cooperation.

Additionally, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday that Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) organized a Saudi-Swiss symposium in Riyadh. The event had several objectives, including shedding light on the Kingdom's economic transformation and exploring investment opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.

Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports to Switzerland are valued at around SR3.5 billion ($0.93 billion), while total imports from Switzerland into the Kingdom stand at approximately SR8 billion.

Overall, the Saudi-Swiss CleanTech Forum was a successful event that highlighted the importance of innovation and sustainability in addressing global challenges. The partnership between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland is a positive step towards achieving these goals.

أُقيم في 12 ايلول/سبتمبر لقاء تحت عنوان "صُنعَ لتجارة مباشرة" في غرفة التجارة والصناعة والخدمات بجنيف (CCIG) الذي تم تنظيمه بالتعاون بين مجلس الأعمال السويسري في الإمارات (Swiss Business Council UAE) وغرفة التجارة والصناعة والخدمات بجنيف (CCIG) وشركة مجموعة سويسرا (Swiss Group)، حيث تم التأكبد على العلافات القوية التي تربط بين هاتين القوتين الاقتصاديتين، كما أنه قدم رؤى مهمة حول عالم الأعمال والتجارة. في هذا المقال، سنستكشف أبرز ما ورد في هذا اللقاء، الذي شهد مشاركة متحدثين بارزين ومناقشات قيمة، بالإضافة إلى استعراض الفرص المستقبلية للتعاون عبر الحدود.

بدأ اللقاء بكلمة افتتاحية من مايكل لين (Michael Lane)، رئيس مجلس الأعمال السويسري في الإمارات. أكد لين على القوانين والمبادئ الثمانية التي وضعها الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم حاكم دبي، والتي كانت حاسمة في ازدهار دبي وتحويلها إلى مدينة حديثة. هذه المبادئ تشمل أهمية الوحدة وسيادة القانون ورعاية المواهب، وقد نمت دبي بفضلها لتصبح مركزًا عالميًا للأعمال.

كلمات الترحيب:

ألقى أحمد بن سليم، الرئيس التنفيذي لمركز دبي للسلع المتعددة (DMCC)، كلمة ترحيب سلّط من خلالها الضوء على مزايا إجراء الأعمال في الإمارات. أشار سليم إلى الدور المحوري لـمركز دبي كوجهة للشركات الأجنبية، وشدد على سهولة الإجراءات الإدارية في المركز. كما أكد التزام المركز بتيسير نمو الأعمال، من خلال استخدام وسائل حديثة كنظام أوراكل المحوسب الذي يهدف إلى تبسيط المهام الإدارية.

وفيما يتعلق بالعلاقة المتبادلة بين سويسرا والإمارات، أشار سليم إلى دور سويسرا كمركز للمنظمات الدولية مثل منظمة الأمم المتحدة للملكية الفكرية (WIPO) ومنظمة التجارة العالمية (WTO). كما تناول الفرص الكبيرة المتاحة وأورد مثالا لذلك المنتجات المتوافقة مع الشريعة داخل المركز، مما يفتح الباب أمام سوق أوسع عالميا.

من جهة أخرى، أكد جاسم العبدولي، القنصل العام لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، على علاقات التجارة الراسخة بين سويسرا والإمارات. أشار العبدولي إلى النمو الكبير في العلاقات الثنائية على مدى السنوات الـ15 الماضية، مع وصول دولة الإمارات لمرتبة أهم شريك تجاري لسويسرا في الشرق الأوسط. وأشار أيضًا إلى الاتفاقيات الرئيسية، بما في ذلك اتفاقية حماية الاستثمار المتبادل، والوصول المتبادل لحاملي جواز السفر الدبلوماسي بدون تأشيرة، واتفاقيات الازدواج الضريبي، واتفاقية التجارة الحرة بين جمعية التجارة الحرة الأوروبية (EFTA) ومجلس التعاون الخليجي. وألقى العبدولي الضوء على القطاعات الرئيسية للتعاون، بما في ذلك الابتكار والتكنولوجيا الحيوية والطاقة المتجددة والتكنولوجيا النظيفة.

مركز دبي للسلع المتعددة كمنطقة حرة عالمية لهذا العام:

قدم باسل بيتار، الممثل الإقليمي للمركز لمنطقة آسيا وشرق أوروبا، نظرة شاملة على العروض المتوفرة في المركز والتي ادت الى فوزه بلقب "منطقة حرة عالمية للعام" لثماني مرات على التوالي وفقا للتصنيف الهاص بمجلة الاستثمار الأجنبي المباشر لصحيفة فاينانشيال تايمز، وهو يعتبر المركز العالمي الرئيسي لتجارة السلع. حيث يقع المركز في قلب دبي، ويقدم مجتمعًا نابضًا بالحياة وخدمات عالية المستوى وعقارات ممتازة مع توافر بنى تحتية ممتازة للاتصالات والمواصلات.

أبرز بيتار الدور الحيوي للمركز في تسهيل التجارة في منتجات مثل القهوة والماس. يقدم المركز ميزات فريدة كالإعفاء من الضرائب لمدة 50 عامًا، مما يجعله وجهة جذابة للشركات. كما شدد على التنوع الثقافي الذي يسود الحياة داخل المركز الذي يضم أكثر من 100,000 نسمة من مختلف أنحاء العالم.

القيام بالأعمال في الإمارات من منظور سويسري:

استعرض روبرتو ديلورينزي (Roberto Delorenzi)، الشريك المدير لشركة الاستشارات السويسرية (Swiss Group Advisory)، تجربة اداء الأعمال في الإمارات من منظور سويسري. وقد أكد على نمو العلاقات السويسرية الإماراتية، مشيرًا إلى أن سويسرا احتلت المرتبة الرابعة من حيث استثمارات الأجنبية المباشرة في دبي في عام 2022. ديلورينزي سلط الضوء على مزايا إنشاء كيان للشركة في الإمارات، بما في ذلك النظام القانوني الملائم، والبنية التحتية المتقدمة، والموقع الجغرافي القريب، والاقتصاد القوي.

تطرق أيضًا إلى أنواع مختلفة من الشركات المتاحة في الإمارات، مثل الشركات المحلية (البر الرئيسي) وشركات المناطق الحرة البرية وشركات المناطق الحرة البحرية. شدد على أهمية سياسات التوظيف المحلية وقوانين الضرائب الشركاتية القادمة. أكد وجود اتفاقية معدلة لتجنب الازدواج الضريبي بين سويسرا والإمارات، مما يوفر إطارًا واضحًا للضرائب.

شهادات وقصص نجاح:

ضم اللقاء شهادات ملهمة من قادة الأعمال الذين ازدهرت اعمالهم في الإمارات. شارك رينيه جوتز (Rene Goetz)، الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة Areas SA، رحلته من مدرب تنس إلى خبير تأمين شركات، مما يبرز الفرص المتنوعة المتاحة لأصحاب الأعمال في الإمارات.

بالإضافة إلى ذلك، تم عرض مقابلة فيديو مع مايكل لاهياني (Michael Lahyani)، مؤسس والرئيس التنفيذي لشركة "اعثر على عقارك" (Propertyfinder)، حيث تم فيها تناول قصة نجاح رائد أعمال في قطاع العقارات في دبي. أثنى لاهياني على البنية التحتية في دبي، وتنوع مواردها البشرية، وجودة الحياة، والشعور العام بالأمان الذي ساهم في نمو شركته بشكل ملحوظ.

اختتم الاجتماع بجلسة نقاش استضافت متحدثين مختلفين من مجتمع الأعمال السويسري الحاضر في الإمارات، مما فتح المجال لنقاش مفتوح حول مزايا وتحديات الشركات التي تعمل في المنطقة. قدم خلال الجلسة بيتر إم. هارادين (Peter M. Harradine)، الرئيس الفخري لمجلس الأعمال السويسري في الإمارات، شهادة متميزة مبنيةً على تجاربه الشخصية من العيش في دولة عربية وإسلامية. حيث أكد على التسامح الملحوظ للإسلام تجاه الديانات الأخرى، مسلطًا الضوء على جانب من المجتمع الإسلامي غالبًا ما يتجاهله الإعلام.

رؤية للتعاون المستقبلي

كان اللقاء "صُنِعَ لتجارة مباشرة" عبارة عن شهادة على الشراكة المستدامة بين سويسرا ودولة الإمارات. تم خلاله اماطة اللثام عن الفرص الواسعة التي تنتظر الشركات في دولة الإمارات، وخاصة لدى مركز دبي للسلع المتعددة، كمنطقة حرة عالمية ناجحة. لقد أكد اللقاء على أهمية التعاون الاستراتيجي وممارسات الأعمال الجيدة، والقيم المشتركة للابتكار والاستدامة التي تربط بين البلدين الذين يتمتعان بحركة مستمرة في بيئة الأعمال. ومع استمرار تطور عالم الأعمال، يعتبر هذا الحدث تذكيرًا بأن دولة الإمارات وسويسرا ملتزمتين بتعزيز النمو الاقتصادي والتعاون المشترك عبر الحدود.

On September 12, the 'Made for Trade Live' event took place at Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services (CCIG). The event, a collaborative effort between the Swiss Business Council UAE, Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG) and the Swiss Group, showcased the profound synergies between these two economic powerhouses and provided invaluable insights into the world of business and trade. In this article, we delve into the highlights of this event, featuring distinguished speakers, invaluable discussions, and the promising future of cross-border collaboration.

The event commenced with an insightful opening speech by Michael Lane, President of the Swiss Business Council UAE. Lane emphasized the visionary 8 Principles of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Governance, which have been instrumental in Dubai's transformation into a modern and prosperous city. These principles, including the importance of union, the rule of law, and nurturing talent, have underpinned Dubai's journey to becoming a global business hub.

Welcome Remarks:

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), followed with welcoming remarks that shed light on the advantages of conducting business in the UAE. Sulayem highlighted DMCC's pivotal role as a center for foreign companies, emphasizing its ease of administrative procedures. He underscored DMCC's commitment to facilitating business growth, and its innovative Oracle system tailored to streamline administrative tasks.

Furthermore, Sulayem emphasized the symbiotic relationship between Switzerland and the UAE, citing Switzerland's role as a hub for international organizations like WIPO and WTO. He also discussed the significant opportunity presented by Sharia-compliant products within DMCC, opening doors to a broader market.

Jasim Alabdouli, General Consul of the United Arab Emirates, underscored the robust trade ties between Switzerland and the UAE. Alabdouli highlighted the substantial growth in bilateral relations over the last 15 years, with the UAE emerging as Switzerland's most vital trading partner in the Middle East. He also mentioned key agreements, including those on mutual protection of investments, reciprocal visa-free access for holders of a diplomatic passport, double taxation and the free trade agreement between EFTA and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Alabdouli shed light on the key sectors of cooperation, which encompass innovation, biotechnology, renewable energy and clean technology.

DMCC, Global Free Zone of the Year:

Bassel Bitar, Regional Representative – Asia and Eastern Europe, DMCC, provided a comprehensive overview of DMCC's offerings. DMCC, crowned 'Global Free Zone of the Year' eight times by the Financial Times FDI Magazine, stands as the world's premier free zone and a global commodities trading hub. Situated at the heart of Dubai, DMCC offers a vibrant community, world-class services, and prime properties with excellent connectivity.

Bitar highlighted DMCC's pivotal role in facilitating trade for products like coffee and diamonds. DMCC offers a unique advantage with a 50-year tax exemption, making it an attractive destination for businesses. He emphasized the thriving multicultural community within DMCC, comprising 100,000 residents from across the globe.

Doing Business in the UAE from a Swiss Perspective:

Roberto Delorenzi, Managing Partner of Swiss Group Advisory DMCC, explored the Swiss perspective of doing business in the UAE/Dubai. He emphasized the burgeoning Swiss-Emirati relations, noting that Switzerland ranked fourth in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Dubai in 2022. Delorenzi outlined the advantages of establishing a presence in the UAE, including a favorable legal system, advanced infrastructure, geographic proximity, and a robust economy.

Delorenzi also delved into the various types of company setups available in the UAE, such as local (mainland) companies, onshore free zone companies, and offshore free zone companies. He highlighted the importance of Emiratisation policies and upcoming corporate tax laws. Delorenzi stressed the existence of a Double Taxation Agreement between Switzerland and the UAE, offering businesses a clear framework for taxation.

Testimonials:

The event featured inspiring testimonials from business leaders who have thrived in the UAE. Rene Goetz, CEO of Areas SA, shared his journey from a tennis coach to a corporate insurance expert, showcasing the diverse opportunities available in the UAE's business landscape.

Additionally, a video interview with Michael Lahyani, Founder & CEO of Propertyfinder, provided valuable insights into the success story of a visionary entrepreneur in Dubai's real estate sector. Lahyani praised Dubai's infrastructure, diverse talent pool, quality of life, and the overall sense of security that has contributed to his company's remarkable growth.

The meeting concluded with a panel discussion featuring various speakers from Switzerland's business community engaged with the UAE, facilitating an open debate on the advantages and challenges facing companies operating in the region. Notably, Peter M. Harradine, Honorary President of the Swiss Business Council UAE, delivered a particularly conciliatory testimony based on his firsthand experiences of living in an Arab and Muslim country. He emphasized the remarkable tolerance of Islam towards other religions, shedding light on an aspect of Islamic society that is often overlooked in media discourse.

A Vision for Future Collaboration

Made For Trade Live Event was a testament to the enduring partnership between Switzerland and the UAE. It brought to the forefront the vast opportunities awaiting businesses in the UAE, particularly within DMCC, a thriving global free zone. The event underscored the importance of strategic collaboration, sound business practices, and the shared values of innovation and sustainability that bind these two dynamic regions.

As the business world continues to evolve, this event serves as a reminder that the UAE and Switzerland are committed to fostering economic growth and cross-border cooperation.

The 13^th World Chambers Congress (WCC) recently concluded at Palexpo in Geneva. This event brought together nearly 1,500 participants from 117 countries and featured 165 speakers, focusing on the theme of "Multilateralism in Service of Peace and Prosperity."

Organized by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the World Chambers Federation (WCF), and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG), this event aimed to foster partnerships and global business opportunities. Held every two years, it provided chamber of commerce leaders and professionals with the opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices, and expand their networks.

Renowned speakers such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, attended to share their vision on diversity, its impact on growth, the role of innovation, and the importance of sustainability for the future.

"The Congress showcased the spirit of Geneva, the capital of multilateralism, in favour of peace and prosperity. This essence was enshrined in the adoption of the Geneva Manifesto. As the most significant event ever organized by the CCIG in its 158-year history, the World Congress also invigorated the Geneva economy, with significant economic benefits," said Vincent Subilia, Director-General of the CCIG.

Three intense days of debates on multilateralism, inclusion, and innovation

At the opening of the day dedicated to the theme "Demystifying Multilateralism," Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, called for a rethink of globalization to make it beneficial for all and emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation to address global economic challenges. "We must push back against pressures for global economic fragmentation, which would be costly and potentially weaken supply chain resilience," she stated. "A better way forward is what we call 're-globalization': deeper and more dispersed markets achieved by bringing more people and places from the margins of the global economy into the mainstream." She also urged business leaders to support "digital globalization."

Philippe Varin, President of ICC France, echoed these remarks by emphasizing the importance of multilateralism in fostering the technological innovation required to address major challenges such as climate change, while improving the prosperity of the global population as a whole.

The second day, dedicated to innovation for all, highlighted the significance of continuous innovation for businesses, especially micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Sustainability was at the heart of discussions on the third day. The reputation risk associated with environmental crimes in the supply chain was emphasized, and companies were encouraged to exercise due diligence to preventing them.

Multilateralism for a prosperous 21^st century

Multilateralism is more essential than ever, according to Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva. However, she highlighted the need to include the voices of more member states and marginalized groups to ensure greater inclusivity. Panellists agreed that the private sector must play a key role in shaping global governance rules, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that represent 90% of global trade. To promote global growth, it is crucial to connect SMEs to the benefits of international trade. However, as Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President of Dubai Chambers, pointed out, there are obstacles that limit their access, such as the lack of a unified export system, information disparities, and high import duties. One potential solution is digitization.

Digital transformation, the key for SMEs to access the global market

During the session "Facilitating Trade: Building Partnerships for Global Growth," moderated by Barbara Ramos, Head of Research and Export Strategy at the International Trade Centre (ITC), the speakers Arancha González, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs (PISA), Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President of Dubai Chambers, and Eric Loeb, Executive Vice President of Salesforce, highlighted the benefits of digital trade: faster, cheaper, transparent, and accessible exchanges for all. This is particularly important for emerging markets where economic opportunities are often lost due to reliance on paper-based systems. Digitization can act as an equalizer for small-scale organizations, enabling them to access the same platforms as large companies. Artificial intelligence can play a crucial role in helping SMEs access information and expertise. However, as noted by Arancha González, the fragmentation of the digital space and the lack of technological skills can pose additional challenges. Promoting data sharing and interoperability is also essential.

The implementation of digital trade also requires the adoption of universal standards for the legal recognition of digital documents, for example, through the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records. G20 countries are actively working on the necessary regulatory reforms and committing to trade agreements that promote digitization. As the speakers noted, while currently only 1% of global trade is digital, digitization will simply be inevitable in the not-so-distant future.

Effective protection of intellectual property for all

The protection of the value of innovative achievements was at the centre of the session titled "Innovation by All and for All." The access of SMEs to the knowledge and conditions necessary to protect their intellectual property rights is far from optimal. However, for these businesses, the financial consequences of not protecting their intellectual property rights can be fatal. Economist at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Piotr Stryszowski emphasizes regarding counterfeiting: "For large companies, it means less revenue, less profit. For an SME, it means a huge risk of bankruptcy."

According to Christina Wainikka, an expert at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, the vast majority of SMEs do not seek to register their intellectual property, "and in many ways, it is the fault of those who are supposed to facilitate this process. Because we often talk about intellectual property rights in very abstract terms instead of presenting them for what they are: a sales opportunity; a chance to provide additional concrete value."

The protection of intellectual property is of particular importance in the African context. Registration has increased by 10% in recent years, indicating a growing awareness of the economic value of intellectual property and its role in promoting innovation and economic growth on the continent. Rebecca Enonchong, a Cameroonian tech entrepreneur, notes that developing countries tend to be seen as beneficiaries of innovation rather than providers of innovation. "And that is obviously not true. It is about harnessing existing talent and preserving their achievements. This means, above all, developing policies and mechanisms to protect SMEs when they compete with large companies. Because the current reality is that these companies simply outpace them and outspend them," she said.

Daren Tang, Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), calls for "a more inclusive intellectual property ecosystem, especially for women, youth, startups, and SMEs, which represent 90% of businesses and provide 70% of jobs worldwide." Chambers of commerce also have a crucial role to play in raising awareness and providing training to SMEs on the effective protection of their rights, as well as supporting them with access to specialized resources and advice.

The role of the private sector and the adoption of best practices

The panellists agreed that the private sector must play a major role in adopting best practices and shaping global governance rules. As small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 90% of global trade, it is important to amplify their voices, stated Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the ITC.

Corporate responsibility in the supply chain was seen as an opportunity to promote global prosperity by integrating responsible practices. Transparency, traceability, and the use of blockchain technology were highlighted as key elements for sustainable supply chains.

Exceptional achievements awarded, an opportunity for Turkey to shine

Outstanding achievements by Chambers of Commerce from around the world were recognized through the presentation of four awards. The Auckland Business Chamber of Commerce won the "Best Partnership Project" award for its project focusing on mental health and well-being of business leaders, while the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce was awarded in the category of "Best Unconventional Project" for its innovative project utilizing solar energy, creating jobs, and reducing CO2 emissions.

Turkey claimed the other two awards: the "Best Chamber Model Innovation Project" distinction was won by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce for its innovative project offering services tailored to the needs of its members, and the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce received the "Best Gender Equality Project" award for its project promoting the autonomy of women entrepreneurs. These successes demonstrate the dynamism of Turkey and highlight the crucial role of Turkish Chambers of Commerce in the country's economic and social development.

It is worth noting that Chambers of Commerce from the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (Austria) were among the finalists in the "Best Chamber Model Innovation Project" category for its project “Commercial Approach to Anti-Corruption”, Dubai Chambers (UAE), for its project Intelligent Certificate of Origin and Business NSW (Australia) for its project Business NSW Critical Response Business Hub.

A very Swiss closing ceremony

During the closing ceremony of the congress, Helene Budliger Artieda, State Secretary for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Swiss Confederation, addressed an attentive audience. Her speech, filled with significance and support, aimed to demonstrate the Swiss government's commitment to the private sector, acknowledging its essential role in the country's economic prosperity

To mark the end of the congress, Barbara Klossner ignited the audience by performing songs in Swiss German, including the famous Swiss traditional chant called "yodel." She captivated the audience by inviting them to join her in an energetic dance, creating a friendly and lively atmosphere.

Recommendations for a better and more prosperous future for all

The congress provided an opportunity to formulate recommendations aimed at strengthening international cooperation, promoting equitable access to economic opportunities, combating inequalities, fostering digital transformation, and promoting responsible innovation. By signing the "Geneva Manifesto," the organizers of the Congress committed to redoubling efforts to make a difference in the real economy in favour of economic inclusion, global cooperation, and sustainable development.

These recommendations highlight the importance of innovation in ensuring a sustainable future. It is crucial to invest in research and development and foster forward-thinking. The use of artificial intelligence was emphasized as a means to find innovative solutions in various sectors, including nutrition, while considering long-term environmental and social consequences. Actively promoting the role of innovation through public-private partnerships and communication and awareness campaigns was suggested. By investing in sustainable solutions and embracing a culture of innovation, a better and more prosperous future for all can be shaped.

Next World Chambers Congress in two years in Melbourne

With gratitude to all participants, the CCIG officially handed over the reins to the co-organizer of the 14^th World Chambers Congress, which will take place in Melbourne, Australia, in September 2025. It promises to continue bringing together economic leaders and stakeholders from around the world and promoting international cooperation and economic innovation.

Le 13^ème Congrès mondial des chambres de commerce (WCG) s'est récemment clôturé à Palexpo à Genève, cet évènement a réuni du 21 au 23 juin 2023, près de 1 500 participants provenant de 117 pays et 165 orateurs sur le thème du « Multilatéralisme au service de la paix et de la prospérité ».

Organisé par la Chambre de commerce internationale (ICC), la Fédération mondiale des chambres de commerce (WCF) ainsi que la Chambre de commerce, d'industrie et des services de Genève (CCIG), cet événement vise à favoriser les partenariats et les opportunités d'affaires à l'échelle mondiale. Comme tous les deux ans, il a offert aux dirigeants et professionnels des chambres de commerce l'occasion d'échanger des idées, de partager leurs bonnes pratiques et de développer leur réseau.

Des conférencières et conférenciers renommés, tels que Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, directrice générale de l'Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC), António Guterres, secrétaire général des Nations Unies et Klaus Schwab, fondateur et directeur du Forum économique mondial, sont venus partager leur vision de la diversité, de son effet sur la croissance, du rôle de l’innovation et de l’importance de la durabilité pour l’avenir.

« Le Congrès a fait rayonner l’esprit de Genève, capitale du multilatéralisme, en faveur de la paix et de la prospérité. Cet ADN s’est vu consacré par l’adoption du Manifeste de Genève. Plus important événement jamais organisé par la CCIG en 158 ans d’histoire, le Congrès mondial a également fait battre le pouls de l’économie genevoise avec des retombées économiques importantes à la clef » a déclaré Vincent Subilia, directeur général de la CCIG.

Trois jours intenses de débats sur le multilatéralisme, l'inclusion et l'innovation

En ouverture de la journée consacrée au thème « Démystifier le multilatéralisme », Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, directrice générale de l’OMC, a appelé à repenser la mondialisation pour la rendre bénéfique à tous et à renforcer la coopération internationale pour relever les défis économiques mondiaux. « Nous devons repousser les pressions en faveur de la fragmentation économique mondiale, qui sera coûteuse et pourrait bien affaiblir la résilience de la chaîne d’approvisionnement », a-t-elle déclaré. « Une meilleure voie à suivre est ce que nous appelons la remondialisation : des marchés plus profonds et déconcentrés obtenus en amenant plus de personnes et de lieux des marges de l’économie mondiale au grand public. ». Elle a également exhorté les chefs d’entreprise à soutenir la « mondialisation électronique ».

Philippe Varin, président de ICC France, a fait écho à ces propos en soulignant l'importance du multilatéralisme pour favoriser l'innovation technologique requise pour relever les défis majeurs tels que le changement climatique, tout en améliorant la prospérité de l'ensemble de la population mondiale.

Consacrée à l'innovation pour tous, la deuxième journée a mis en évidence l'importance de l'innovation continue pour les entreprises, en particulier les micro-, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME). La durabilité a été au cœur des discussions de la troisième journée. Le risque de réputation associé aux crimes environnementaux dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement a été souligné, et les entreprises incitées à exercer une diligence raisonnable pour les prévenir.

Le multilatéralisme pour un XXI^e siècle prospère

Le multilatéralisme est plus essentiel que jamais, selon Tatiana Valovaya, directrice générale de l’Office des Nations Unies de Genève. Cependant, elle a relevé la nécessité de prendre en compte davantage de voix d'États membres et de groupes marginalisés pour garantir une plus grande inclusivité. Les panélistes ont convenu que le secteur privé doit jouer un rôle clé dans l'élaboration des règles de gouvernance mondiale, en particulier les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) qui représentent 90% du commerce mondial. Pour favoriser la croissance mondiale, il est crucial de connecter les PME aux avantages du commerce international. Toutefois, ainsi que le relève Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, président de Dubai Chambers, des obstacles leur en limitent l’accès : absence d’un système unifié d'exportation, divergences d'informations et droits d'importation élevés. Une solution potentielle : la numérisation.

La transformation numérique, la clé des PME vers le marché mondial

Pendant la session « Faciliter le commerce : établir des partenariats pour la croissance mondiale », modéré par Barbara Ramos, cheffe Recherche et stratégies pour les exportations au Centre du commerce international (ITC), les intervenants Arancha González, doyenne de la Paris School of International Affairs (PISA), Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, président de Dubai Chambers, et Eric Loeb, vice-président exécutif de Salesforce, ont souligné les avantages du commerce numérique : échanges plus rapides, moins coûteux, transparents et accessibles à tous. Cela revêt une importance particulière pour les marchés émergents où des opportunités économiques sont souvent perdues en raison de la dépendance à des systèmes basés sur le papier. La numérisation peut agir comme un égalisateur pour les organisations de petite taille, en leur permettant d'accéder aux mêmes plateformes que les grandes entreprises. L'intelligence artificielle peut jouer un rôle essentiel pour aider les PME à accéder à l'information et à l'expertise. Cependant, ainsi que le note Arancha González, la fragmentation de l'espace numérique et le manque de compétences technologiques peuvent poser d'autres défis. Il faut aussi promouvoir le partage de données et l'interopérabilité.

La mise en œuvre du commerce numérique nécessite de plus l'adoption de normes universelles, pour une reconnaissance juridique des documents numériques, par exemple grâce à la Loi type sur les documents transférables électroniques. Les pays du G20 travaillent activement sur les réformes réglementaires nécessaires et s'engagent dans des accords commerciaux favorables à la numérisation. Les intervenants l’ont noté : alors qu’elle ne concerne actuellement que 1% du commerce mondial, la numérisation sera tout simplement inévitable dans un avenir pas si lointain.

Pour tous, une protection efficace de la propriété intellectuelle

La protection de la valeur des réalisations innovantes était au centre de la session intitulée «  L'innovation par tous et pour tous ». L’accès des MPME aux connaissances et aux conditions nécessaires pour protéger leurs droits de propriété intellectuelle est loin d’être optimum. Or, pour ces entreprises, les conséquences financières de la non-protection de leurs droits de propriété intellectuelle peuvent être fatidiques. Économiste auprès de l’Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE), Piotr Stryszowski souligne, au sujet de la contrefaçon : « pour les grandes entreprises, cela signifie moins de revenus, moins de profits. Pour une MPME, cela signifie un risque énorme de faillite ».

Selon Christina Wainikka, experte à la Confédération des entreprises suédoises, la grande majorité des MPME ne cherchent pas à enregistrer leur propriété intellectuelle, « et, à bien des égards, c’est la faute de ceux qui sont censés faciliter ce processus. Parce que nous parlons souvent des droits de propriété intellectuelle en termes très abstraits au lieu de les présenter pour ce qu’ils sont : une opportunité de vente ; une chance d’apporter une valeur supplémentaire et concrète ».

La protection de la propriété intellectuelle revêt une importance particulière dans le contexte africain. L'enregistrement y a augmenté de 10% ces dernières années, ce qui témoigne de la prise de conscience croissante de la valeur économique de la propriété intellectuelle et de son rôle dans la promotion de l'innovation et la croissance économique du continent. Entrepreneure technologique camerounaise, Rebecca Enonchong constate que les pays en développement ont tendance à être considérés comme des bénéficiaires de l’innovation plutôt que comme des pourvoyeurs d’innovation. « Et ce n’est évidemment pas vrai. Il s’agit d’exploiter les talents existants et de préserver leurs réalisations. Cela signifie, plus que tout, développer les politiques et les mécanismes pour protéger les MPME lorsqu’elles sont en concurrence avec les grandes entreprises. Parce que la réalité actuelle est que ces entreprises finissent simplement par les dépasser et les dépenser », a-t-elle déclaré.

Daren Tang, directeur général de l’Organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle (OMPI) en appelle à « un écosystème de propriété intellectuelle plus inclusif, en particulier pour les femmes, les jeunes, les start-up et les MPME, qui représentent 90% des entreprises et offrent 70% des emplois dans le monde ». Les chambres de commerce ont aussi un rôle crucial à jouer pour sensibiliser et former les PME à la protection efficace de leurs droits, et les soutenir par un accès à des ressources et à des conseils spécialisés.

Le rôle du secteur privé et l'adoption des meilleures pratiques

Les panélistes ont convenu que le secteur privé doit jouer un rôle majeur dans l’adoption des meilleures pratiques et l’élaboration des règles de gouvernance mondiale. Les petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) étant responsables de 90% du commerce mondial, il est important d’amplifier leur voix, a déclaré Pamela Coke-Hamilton, directrice exécutive ITC.

La responsabilité des entreprises dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement a été considérée comme une opportunité de promouvoir la prospérité mondiale en intégrant des pratiques responsables. La transparence, la traçabilité et l'utilisation de la technologie blockchain ont été mises en avant pour des chaînes d'approvisionnement durables.

Des réalisations exceptionnelles primées, l’occasion pour la Turquie de briller

Les réalisations exceptionnelles des Chambres de commerce du monde entier ont été récompensées par la remise de quatre prix. Auckland Business Chamber of Commerce a ainsi remporté le prix « Best Partnership Project » pour son projet axé sur la santé mentale et le bien-être des chefs d'entreprise et Alexandria Chamber of Commerce a été primée dans la catégorie « Best Unconventional Project » pour son projet novateur utilisant de l'énergie solaire et créant des emplois tout en réduisant les émissions de CO₂.

La Turquie a raflé les deux autres prix : la distinction « Best Chamber Model Innovation Project » a été remportée par Ankara Chamber of Commerce pour son projet innovant d’offre de services adaptés aux besoins des membres et Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce a reçu la récompense « Best Gender Equality Project » pour son projet favorisant l'autonomie des femmes entrepreneures. Ces succès témoignent du dynamisme de la Turquie et soulignent le rôle essentiel des chambres de commerce turques dans le développement économique et social du pays.

Notons encore que les chambres de commerce de la Chambre économique fédérale autrichienne (Autriche) figuraient parmi les finalistes dans la catégorie "Best Chamber Model Innovation Project" pour son projet "Commercial Approach to Anti-Corruption", Dubai Chambers (UAE), pour son projet Intelligent Certificate of Origin et Business NSW (Australie) pour son projet Business NSW Critical Response Business Hub.

Une clôture très helvétique

Lors de la cérémonie de clôture de congrès, Helene Budliger Artieda, secrétaire d'État à l’économie (SECO) de la Confédération helvétique, a pris la parole devant un public attentif. Son discours, empreint d'importance et de soutien, visait à témoigner de l'engagement du gouvernement suisse envers le secteur privé, reconnaissant ainsi son rôle essentiel dans la prospérité économique du pays.

Pour marquer la fin du congrès, Barbara Klossner a enflammé la salle en interprétant des chansons en suisse allemand, y compris le célèbre chant traditionnel suisse appelé le « yodel ». Elle a captivé le public en l’invitant à se joindre à elle pour une danse endiablée, créant ainsi une ambiance conviviale et animée.

Des recommandations pour un avenir meilleur et plus prospère pour tous

Le congrès a été l’occasion de formuler des recommandations visant à renforcer la coopération internationale, promouvoir l'accès équitable aux opportunités économiques, lutter contre les inégalités, favoriser la transformation numérique et promouvoir l'innovation responsable. Par la signature du « Manifeste de Genève », les organisateurs du Congrès se sont engagés à redoubler d’efforts pour faire la différence dans l'économie réelle en faveur de l'inclusion économique, de la coopération mondiale et du développement durable.

Ces recommandations mettent en évidence l'importance de l'innovation pour assurer un avenir durable. Il est crucial d'investir dans la recherche et le développement et de favoriser une pensée avant-gardiste. L'utilisation de l'intelligence artificielle a été soulignée comme un moyen de trouver des solutions novatrices dans divers secteurs, y compris celui de la nutrition, tout en tenant compte des conséquences environnementales et sociales à long terme. Il a été suggéré de promouvoir activement le rôle de l'innovation par le biais de partenariats public-privé et de campagnes de communication et de sensibilisation. En investissant dans des solutions durables, en adoptant une culture de l'innovation, un avenir meilleur et plus prospère pour tous peut être façonné.

Rendez-vous pris dans deux ans à Melbourne

Après avoir remercié tous les participants, la CCIG a passé officiellement le relais au co-organisateur du 14^ème Congrès mondial des Chambres de commerce qui se tiendra à Melbourne en Australie en septembre 2025 : la promesse de continuer à rassembler les leaders économiques et les acteurs du monde entier et à promouvoir la coopération internationale et l'innovation économique.

Trade opportunities through e-commerce channels have boomed in recent years but many firms are still unsure about how to take advantage of them. To help firms sharpen their market research and digital marketing skills, UNESCWA and the International Trade Centre would like to extend a cordial invitation for the upcoming webinar Identifying and Harnessing Opportunities for E-commerce on March 16^th at 4-5:15 pm (CET). This 75-minute, interactive webinar will give provide a hands-on introduction to market research using the Global Trade Helpdesk, a free, integrated platform providing a strategic overview of trade and market information to compare opportunities across 220 markets. It will also introduce digital marketing techniques and how to leverage new digital trade opportunities through the ecomConnect.org resources and community.

Register for the session here: http://bit.ly/3KKXtb2

ازدهرت فرص التجارة عبر قنوات التجارة الإلكترونية في السنوات الأخيرة، لكن لا تزال العديد من الشركات غير متأكدة من كيفية الاستفادة من هذه الفرص. لمساعدة الشركات على تطوير أبحاث السوق الخاصة بهم ومهارات التسويق الرقمي، تود لجنة الأمم المتحدة الاقتصادية والاجتماعية لغربي آسيا (الإسكوا) ومركز التجارة الدولية توجيه دعوة للندوة الإلكترونية القادمة بخصوص تحديد واستغلال فرص التجارة الإلكترونية والتي ستقام الخميس 16 مارس/آذار الساعة 4-5:15 مساء (بتوقيت وسط أوروبا). ستوفر هذه الندوة التفاعلية عبر الإنترنت، والتي ستستغرق 75 دقيقة، مقدمة عملية لأبحاث السوق باستخدام مكتب دعم التجارة العالمية، وهي منصة مجانية ومتكاملة توفر نظرة عامة ecomConnect.org استراتيجية لمعلومات التجارة والسوق ومقارنة الفرص عبر 220 سوق. كذلك ستقدم الندوة تقنيات التسويق الرقمي وكيفية الاستفادة من فرص التجارة الرقمية الجديدة من خلال موارد ومجتمع

http://bit.ly/3KKXtb2:سجل حضورك للندوة هنا

Qatar has the fifth largest economy in the Arab World (After Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Iraq). The country's GDP has been growing steadily between 2010 and 2014, increasing from $125 billion to more than $206 billion in four years. Qatar's economy is driven primarily by the oil and gas industry. It holds the third largest gas reserves in the world (estimated at 12% of the global total in 2021) behind Russia and Iran. The Emirate’s economy is thus heavily concentrated in the gas industry, which represents two-thirds of its GDP and almost 80% of export earnings. Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry has attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment and made Qatar the world’s largest exporter of this commodity.

The country enjoys one of the highest GNI per capita in the world (about $65,000 according to IMF projections for 2022) and has a high-spending consumer population. By boosting its liquified natural gas (LNG) capacity by about 40% in the coming years, Qatar’s wealth will keep increasing.

Although economic diversification represents a long-term challenge, Qatar has a large resource base that can be used to boost development of non-hydrocarbon sectors.

Source: 1. seco, 2. OECD, data for 2021 (oecd), 3. OECD, data for 2022.

Qatar is hosting the World Cup which serves as a vehicle to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), a government initiative to transform Qatar into a global society and provide a higher standard of living. According to this plan, the projects to be performed are intended to promote post-tournament sustainability. The World Cup is expected to positively contribute to the country's domestic economic activity, the construction sector in particular is booming.

Investment climate in Qatar

Among the major advantages of Qatar's investment climate are the country's competitive economy, national currency (that is characterized by a very stable exchange rate), high quality infrastructure, and a very favourable tax environment. In addition, Qatar has two economic zones that offer special benefits to foreign businesses - the Qatar Financial Center (QFC) and the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). Qatar's well-developed financial sector can also be regarded as an advantageous feature of the country's investment climate. The country has big interest in attracting high-tech products and services to its market. Among the main disadvantages of Qatar's investment climate are relatively small market size and strong reliance of the economy on the public sector. (Reserve your copy of the Doing Business Guide for Qatar link).

Qatar-Switzerland Economic Relations

Qatar and Switzerland will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2023. Culturally, the two are worlds apart, but both are small countries that play an outsized role in international politics and business.

According to State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Qatar is Switzerland's 5^th largest trading partner in the Middle East (the United Arab Emirates tops the list) (or 63^rd place internationally), with a trade volume totalling CHF708 million ($715 million) in 2021 (trade was down a whopping 52% compared to 2020). According to SECO the volume of trade for the first nine months of the current year already amounts to around two billion francs. Historically trade volume has increased considerably with an upward trend during the last two decades.


Source: Swiss Federal Office for Customs.

The flow of goods mainly goes in one direction, from Switzerland to Qatar. Imports from Qatar, on the other hand, are negligible, in particular because Switzerland is not a buyer of the main Qatari export resource: gas. The two countries have created the necessary framework conditions for increased economic exchanges through a set of agreements such as investment protection, double taxation, free trade (through the GCC and the EFTA) and air transport.

Benefiting from a free trade agreement (through the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Free Trade Association), a double taxation agreement and an investment protection agreement, economic relations between Switzerland and Qatar come under comprehensive bilateral framework conditions.
Watches and jewellery, precious metals and pharmaceuticals accounted for most exports to the emirate (Federal Office for Customs).


Source: Swiss Federal Office for Customs.



Source: Swiss Federal Office for Customs.

In a sign of the importance it attaches to doing business in Qatar, the Swiss Business Hub, which offers help to Swiss companies looking to establish a presence in foreign markets, has its Middle East office in the Qatari capital. Some 30 Swiss firms in Qatar employ around 1,000 people in the country. The majority of Swiss companies present in Qatar are suppliers in the field of infrastructure and energy. The customer base includes the oil and gas sector, the petrochemical industry as well as water and wastewater management. There we can find for example Endress + Hauser, the specialist in measuring instruments, Nestlé, industrial group ABB, Holcim, Georg Fischer for Watches, Sika in the chemical industry (Watson) and Glencore¹ Switzerland is interested to launch a dialogue with the local companies and the authorities on new technologies, such as in the area of cybersecurity.

Recently top officials from both countries have held meetings during a forum called the Swiss-Qatar Mixed Commission in September 2022. The Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer and Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, met in Zurich, to talk economic opportunities according to the business federation economiesuisse. In the midst of an energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, the purchase of liquefied natural gas from the world’s biggest exporter was a major topic, with the Qataris reportedly open to supplying the Swiss market (economiesuisse). Also different aspects of the real economy were discussed during the different meetings. Qatar is very interested in Swiss know-how. In view of the Football World Cup, Qatar is planning to modernize the construction sector and make it more sustainable, as significant sums will continue to be invested in infrastructure. A large water recycling plant is currently planned. This is exciting news for Swiss companies that are at the forefront of this field. Closer collaboration has also been established in the area of intellectual property protection in particular to better identify counterfeit watches.

Swiss banks are also interested to expand in the Qatari market. UBS announced plans to establish a services hub. Credit Suisse, meanwhile, is willing to open a new tech centre in partnership with the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar. Other sectors too want to further entre the market in the emirate. Swiss hospitals and hotels are looking for partnerships in Qatar and to boosting medical tourism in Switzerland.

What are Qatar’s interests in Switzerland?

Qatar has different investments in Switzerland through the Qatari sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), with investments in several sectors totalling close to CHF1 billion, such luxury hotels like the Schweizerhof in Bern and the Bürgenstock Resort on Lake Lucerne. During the financial crisis, it helped shore up Credit Suisse by buying convertible bonds and taking a 5% share in the bank (swissinfo).

The Geneva International Motor Show also signed a deal with Qatar Tourism to bring the popular event to Doha. In 2023 the motor show will take place exclusively in the Qatari city (Gims.swiss).

The World Cup as a driver for economic diversification

Qatar wants to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels, toward a sustainable economy. Hosting the World Cup is part of Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and provide a high standard of living for the people. In total, it would be more than 200 billion dollars invested by Qatar to organize one of the biggest sporting events. An event that is expected to generate new activities and boost economic growth.

The State of Qatar has spent 220 billion dollars on infrastructure and giant development projects that have been spent in the 11 years since it won the hosting of the World Cup, and this is the highest number ever spent in the system of this world championship (Al-Jazeera).


Source: DW *Includes spending on infrastructure projects. Values not adjusted for inflation - as of April 2022
For Qatar: The cost of constructing of stadiums, according to official data, is about $7 billion.

Qatar built 8 stadiums according to the latest international standards, namely: Al-Bayt (hosting the opening of the World Cup), Khalifa International, Lusail, Al-Janoub, Education City, Ahmed bin Ali, Al-Thumama, and 974. The cost of constructing of stadiums, according to official data, is about $7 billion.

The Qatari government expects that tourism spending and economic activities associated with this World Cup will add the equivalent of 1.5% to gross domestic product. It is expected that tourism revenues from this tournament will reach about $7.5 billion, according to Capital Economics. Between 1.2 million and 1.7 million fans are expected to arrive in Qatar.

The International Monetary Fund and Bloomberg Agency say that the Qatari economy will reap financial revenues from organizing the World Cup estimated at tens of billions of dollars, including a jump in foreign direct investment in Qatar before and after that world championship. The International Monetary Fund expects economic growth in Qatar to reach 3.4% in 2022 and 2.4% in 2023; Supported and driven by many basic economic factors, including the country's hosting of the World Cup.

Such expectations prompted the Qatari government to aspire to the country becoming a regional centre for business, and even to increase the number of tourists to reach to reach 6 million tourists annually by 2030. Doha is actually a city with one of the fastest-growing hotel and hospitality markets in the world. Over 150 new hotels have been built for the FIFA World Cup. In fact, the World Cup is only one point in the long history of Qatar as a hub for sports and other kinds of cultural activities, all of which makes it an attractive tourist destination (Euronews).

According to Sheikha Alanoud Al Thani, Deputy CEO and Chief Business Officer of the Qatar Financial Centre, a successful World Cup in Qatar is a kind opportunity to put Qatar on the international business and economic map, adding that Qatar's financial commitments into building an infrastructure capable of hosting the World Cup has given many companies a boost, especially in the field of sports technology (Euronews).

The World Cup is a highly effective international marketing platform, that reaches millions of people in over 200 countries around the world. Not all countries have benefited in the same way. The list of the official FIFA partners includes: Adidas (ADS), Coca Cola (KO), Wanda, Hyundai, Kia, Qatar Airways, Qatar Energy and Visa². Switzerland has been able to pull out of the game, in particular thanks to the Swiss company Nüssli, active in the construction of stands. The company has set up a system of air-conditioned and removable stands. The estimated budget is around $700 million.

Criticisms directed at Qatar concerning labour force and relevant regulations

World Cup in Qatar is an object of boycott calls from some politicians and human rights organizations in European countries concerning foreign workers rights.

But Qatar has undergone serious significant domestic reforms. It is the first country in the region to introduce a minimum wage last year and formally abolished the kafala (sponsorship) system for migrant workers.

According to ILO reports, Qatar had undertaken substantial efforts in the areas of labour migration governance, the enforcement of the labour law and access to justice, and strengthening the voice of workers and social dialogue, which have improved the working and living conditions for hundreds of thousands of workers.

In March 2021, Qatar became the first country in the Gulf region to adopt a non-discriminatory minimum wage that applies to all workers, of all nationalities, in all sectors, including domestic work, in addition to legislations concerning occupational safety and health & labour inspection such as the prohibiting of outdoor work between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., access to justice, concerning the labour unions, new legislation has led to the establishment of joint worker-management committees at the enterprise level (ILO).

Qatar’s labour minister responded to the allegations about the conditions of migrant workers involved in construction work for the World Cup, saying a mechanism is already in place for those seeking compensation. “At least $350 million has been given as compensation to workers,” he said.

Rita Schiavi, a former trade unionist with Unia (the largest workers' union in Switzerland), who is familiar with the case of stadium construction sites in Qatar for the World Cup, finds criticism of Qatar too harsh. In an interview published in the daily newspapers of CH Media, she finds that there are many misconceptions about Qatar, before highlighting the evolution of working conditions that she has seen during her visits to Qatar. She pointed out that there are many misconceptions in the West, and prejudices against the Arab-Muslim world, such as the obligation to wear the headscarf (20min)(also look at the reports on SRF of 04.11.2022 and SRF of 10.11.2022).

In a fiery news conference in the Qatari capital on the eve of the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, attacked European critics on Qatar regarding issues of migrant workers and gay rights. He said, “Who cares about workers’ rights?!, “We in Europe close our borders and do not allow any worker from developing countries to work in our lands legally” he said, noting that there are many who work illegally, while Qatar provides them with this opportunity.

He added: “I have difficulties understanding the criticism. We have to invest in helping these people, in education and to give them a better future and more hope. We should all educate ourselves, many things are not perfect but reform and change takes time”, “I am European. For what we have been doing for 3,000 years around the world, we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before giving moral lessons,” (Swissinfo³).

Swiss population vision on the World Cup in Qatar
The feeling of the Swiss population has been mixed, with concerns for the welfare of migrant workers, who make up the majority of workers in Qatar (95%). Many Swiss cities have chosen not to install fan zones or public viewings, justifying this decision by Qatar’s workers’ rights record.

Future vision
Finally, whatever scepticism and criticism prevail in the Western countries, Qatar was able to enter history as the first Arab and Muslim country to organize the World Cup, though sending a bright message about the history of the region and the importance of peace and cooperation between the people. Moreover, the World Cup represents a golden opportunity for the country to put itself on the world map changing the country’s image, and cliché about the Arab world, and most importantly, it is a strong tool to transform its economy into a modern, more diversified, highly digitised, and integrated into the global value chain. More is still needed to be done to achieve various urban development projects to achieve the country’s 2030 national vision’s sustainability goals, so creating opportunities and favourable conditions for foreign investors and visitors.

We, at Swiss Arab Entrepreneurs Platform, will be helping the different partners in order to seize the very interesting opportunities offered by the World Cup in Qatar today and in the future.

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1. British company with headquarter in Switzerland, The Guardian (Link).
2. Admiralmarkets (Link).
3. Swissinfo (https://bit.ly/3GWhbyA).

Two separate meetings have been held in May 2022 in order to strengthening Arab-Swiss economic relations. The first meeting took place in Rabat on May 9, when the Moroccan Minister for Investment, Convergence and Public Policy Evaluation, Mohcine Jazouli, met with the Swiss Minister of State Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch in the presence of, Guillaume Schurer, Ambassador of Switzerland to Morocco. Where the two parties discussed the possibility of introducing new investments in many sectors, and pledged to hold similar meetings in the future. Jazouli commented on the already strong relations between the two countries, noting that the meeting was "an opportunity to present the various investment opportunities offered by Morocco to the Swiss officials." On the other hand, Ms. Ineichen-Fleisch described the relations between the two countries as "excellent".

Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services in cooperation with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Morocco had previously held a meeting in late April under the slogan "Focus on Morocco".

Commenting on the recent talks that brought the two sides together, Ambassador Guillaume Schurer referred to the Swiss-Moroccan agreement signed in December 2021, considering that the agreement allowed for "increasing cooperation in all areas."

On the other hand, a meeting was held in Manama on May 12, as part of an official visit by the Swiss economic mission to the Kingdom of Bahrain, where the mission met with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Iman Al-Dosari, in the presence of the Swiss Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Massimo Badji and the Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade, Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, and a number of senior officials in the ministry. The meeting dealt with bilateral economic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them.

The Arab-Swiss relations occupies a distinguished position on the economic level. Switzerland is one of the most important commercial partners for the Arab countries, as it accounts for about 10% of the total Arab trade exchanges with the Europe.

Recent years have witnessed a development in Arab-Swiss economic relations, especially with the Arab Gulf states, in the same time relations between Morocco and Switzerland have improved significantly in the past few years.