Swiss Total Entrepreneurial
Activity for 2003 = 7.3%
Click
here for more about TEA
World Average TEA 9.6
European Average TEA 5.4
Entrepreneurship
in Switzerland
Entrepreneurial forces are mixed in Switzerland. The
country has created an environment that makes starting
a business or investing in one relatively easy. The legal
environment is such that obtaining permits and visas is
neither difficult nor time intensive. The tax system is
designed to attract investment to the country. There is
no capital gains tax in Switzerland. The population is
highly educated (near 100 percent literacy). This results
in a very competent but expensive labor force.
There are some experts who argue that much of Switzerland’s
innovation and entrepreneurship comes from the outside.
Internally, innovation is not taught and there is a fair
level of risk aversion. Entrepreneurship as a field of
study is, however, gaining acceptance and momentum.
• There are twice as many men as women entrepreneurs
in Switzerland.
• As of 2003, Taxes for operating income for a business
is about 24.5%
• As of 2002, GDP per capita is about $64,000 compared
to $77,000 for US
• Switzerland has a strong and stable economy, low
inflation (2.8%), low unemployment (2.7%), and a highly
qualified workforce.
• Population: 7.5 Million
• There are no taxes on the money you invest in
Switzerland - not on capital gains, and not on interest.
Except: If your account is in Swiss francs, or you invest
in US securities from your Swiss bank account
• The Swiss take punctuality for business and social
meetings very seriously and expect that you will do likewise
• The Swiss tend to get right down to business after
a few minutes of general discussion
• Many Swiss businessmen would be embarrassed if
a foreign businesswoman invited them to dinner. Swiss
men are very conservative and still expect to pay for
a meal. If possible, a foreign businesswoman should invite
a Swiss businessman to lunch rather than dinner.
Best
Bets
SWITZERLAND
GEM 2003 REPORT - German Language
SWITZERLAND
2003 GEM REPORT - FRENCH
Click
on the folder to see the contents.
Microsoft JET Database Engine error '80040e14'
Syntax error (missing operator) in query expression 'Countries.CountryID='.
/includes/country-links2.asp, line 62 | | 
Entrepreneurship
