The Embassy’s Economic and Financial Affairs Division monitors developments and changes in U.S. economic, financial and foreign trade policy. It strives to provide sound basic conditions for Swiss-U.S. trade and investment relations. The Embassy’s economic team keeps track of relevant regulations and legislation and supports and protects Swiss economic interests where necessary.

© R. James Breiding

Swiss Made: The Untold Story behind Switzerland's Success is a book by James Breiding. A panel hosted by the Cato Institute on April 23, 2013, discussed what other countries could take from Switzerland’s economic success story. 

View podcast of panel discussion below.

© FDFA

Swiss Foreign Direct Investment in the United States Report 2012
 
(Based on the most current business activities of Swiss affiliates reported to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA))

How Swiss Investors Create Jobs and Growth in the U.S. 

Switzerland was the largest foreign direct investor in the U.S. in 2010 (in absolute dollar terms) and is among the largest direct investors in the U.S. overall. 

Swiss investors include agribusiness (Syngenta), financial and insurance (Swiss Re Group, UBS, Zurich American Insurance Company–Farmers Group), flavors and fragrances, food manufacturing (Nestlé), manufacturing and electronics (ABB, Holcim, Schindler Group and many more), pharmaceutical and medicine (Novartis Group, Roche Holding Group–Genentech), business process management services (Swiss Post Solutions). 

Quick Facts: 

1. Swiss cumulative investment in the U.S. is $212 billion with $57 billion value added and $9.1 billion spent on research and development.
2. Swiss affiliates support 430,000 jobs in all 50 states.
3. Having added 41,000 jobs, Switzerland is the only nation among the top foreign investors that added new jobs during the global economic crisis.
4. At $3.6 billion, Swiss companies pay the second highest amount in income taxes of foreign-owned companies in the U.S.
5. States with Swiss companies providing the greatest number of jobs: CA, NY, NJ, TX

 Download full report

The division closely follows U.S. financial markets and their regulations, macroeconomics, as well as monetary and fiscal policies and covers issues such as agricultural, environmental and competition policies as well as development cooperation.

 Finance

FATCA
With the enactment of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), the United States wishes to ensure that all accounts held abroad by U.S. taxpayers can actually be taxed. On February 14, 2013, Switzerland and the United States signed the FATCA agreement.

 Implementation FATCA

 Recent Measures to Ensure the Integrity of Switzerland’s Financial Center

In collaboration with the Swiss Business Hub USA, the division assists Swiss companies and industry in establishing contacts, promotes the export of Swiss products and services, and supports the promotion of Switzerland as a location for foreign investment.
 Swiss Foreign Investment Agency

 
E-mail:  was.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Tel.: +1 202 745 7900
Fax: +1 202 387 2564

Head:
Josef P. Renggli, Minister-Counselor