Aftermovie of the Chinese New Year Reception 2019, Romandie Chapter
Contribution to the Sino-Swiss Relations
The Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce is a Swiss- based non-profit association registered in Zurich. Over 700 corporate and individual members, among them the leading banks, trading companies, insurances and industrial firms have joined the association; making it one of the largest Chambers in Switzerland. The Chamber was founded in 1980 by Dr. Uli Sigg - former Swiss Ambassador to China - and a group of businessmen with the aim of promoting trade relations between Switzerland and China and to strengthen contacts at a high level between Government and economic institutions of both countries. At that time, Deng Xiaoping had launched his far-reaching economic reforms and since then, the past years have been marked by an impressive growth of the Chinese economy and by a steady expansion of Switzerland's trade with the People's Republic of China; both on the import and the export side.
During the years of its existence, the Chamber has always been contributing to the development of the Sino-Swiss economic relations and with its diversified range of services it has consistently assisted the many Swiss companies doing business with and investing in China. This achievement was possible due to the continuous support of the Chamber secretariat and thanks to the untiring efforts of Chamber officers, who serve on an honorary basis in various functions.
A national and international coordination
The main organism of the Chamber is its Committee, elected at the annual General Assembly. The Committee decides of the politic of the Chamber and is composed by top-level businessmen, representing major industrial and commercial organizations in Switzerland. The Chamber is a member of the Union of Swiss Chambers of Commerce Abroad, and of the Euro-China Business Association (ECBA). It ensures contacts with Chambers of commerce based in Switzerland, but also with the Swiss Office for Trade Promotion and with governmental departments, institutions and economic associations in Switzerland and China.
Moving with your needs
In 1995, the Chamber has been able to enlarge its range of services, after merging with the former Association Economique Suisse Chine. Then, the Chamber established the Geneva chapter and the Lugano chapter, in order to better cover the needs of French-speaking and Italian-speaking Switzerland’s members. In the same perspective, legal sections have been established in Zürich and Geneva, in order to allow a better understanding on tax and legal questions applicable in both countries.
The establishment of an office in Beijing in 1995 gave a new dimension to the Chamber. This Chinese section organizes regular activities for its Swiss members living in China and for Chinese businessmen. It is also in charge of assisting our members during their business trip in China. Since 1997, the Chamber is also represented in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Thank you for your support
As a non-profit organization, the Chamber doesn’t receive any financial support. Therefore, in order to maintain its efficiency and activities for its members and for Sino-Swiss commercial interests, the Chamber financially relies on members subscriptions. Another source of revenue comes from services delivered to non-members; this kind of revenue is based on working-time and secretary expenses. All those services are free or reduced for the members of the Chamber.