AMBASSADOR'S MESSAGE The first Swiss companies that established themselves as trading houses in East Asia and Singapore some 130 years ago, were among the first "global players" in the world. Despite the recent economic and financial crisis, most of them are still here today and are convinced that the future belongs to Asia. In the past, the growth of Asian markets provided Swiss companies with the most dynamic opportunities. Today, around 14% of our total exports are going to East Asia, making this region an important economic partner for us. After recovering from the current turmoil, which will enable to correct some deficient mechanisms, Asia will remain the continent with the largest economic growth potential in the 21st century. In the long run, this difficult period will be an opportunity for correction and consolidation and it will lay the foundation for more sustainable growth in the future. In three to five years, the {{all weather friends}} who stayed even in tough times will be recognized and benefit most. It is therefore vital for companies to maintain their presence in this region, and it is also a right time to expand and invest as many Swiss companies are already doing. The Swiss economic and financial presence in Singapore is quite impressive. Our bilateral relations, based on several agreements and consolidated by regular high level official visits, are excellent. The Swiss network in Singapore rests on six well inter connected pillars. First there is the young and dynamic Swiss community of around 1500 persons. Our second pillar is constituted by the 250 plus Swiss firms established here, many of them small and medium sized. The majority of these firms are members of the Swiss Business Association, the third pillar of our vibrant presence and a very useful meeting point for our business leaders. The fourth pillar is the Swiss School where the children of our community can learn in their mother tongue in familiar surroundings. Together with the Swiss Business Association, the Embassy and the National Youth Achievement Award Council of Singapore, the Swiss School is organizing the Swiss-Singaporean Youth Exchanges every year. The list would not be complete without our fifth pillar, the magnificent and unique Swiss Club, founded in 1871. Last but not least, Switzerland is officially represented by its Embassy, the sixth pillar of the network. Its main task is to support the Swiss companies established in Singapore or seeking to do so. Today, globalization has taken another dimension and significance and small industrial countries like Switzerland or Singapore, both ranked among the top economies and leading trading nations of the world, are much more integrated in the international economy than others. But at the same time they are also more dependent on it for their economic well being. So it is important that these two partners support each other and the Swiss Business Association plays a central role in this endeavour.
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Copyright 2004
