Multinationals in brief.

Multinationals
are a reflection of
the Lake Geneva region

Geneva’s history is closely linked to its openness to the rest of the world, and Swiss and foreign multinationals find fertile ground for their development here. The economic vitality and prosperity of the Lake Geneva region are closely linked to their presence. They provide numerous jobs, are business partners for thousands of SMEs and self-employed individuals, and contribute significantly to the welfare state. They also play a vital role in research and training. They are thus a key player in the influence of international Geneva.

Key documents

Key documents

They find in Geneva the ideal terrain for their development:

  • A qualified and multilingual local workforce
  • A cultural diversity that reflects the markets in which they operate
  • A spirit of openness
  • Sharing the same values

Les multinationales, intégrées au tissu local, s’engagent responsablement pour la région :

  • Les multinationales recrutent localement, avec 36% de Suisses et 44% de l'UE/AELE, surtout pour les postes de direction
  • Elles forment des jeunes locaux et collaborent avec les grandes écoles
  • Elles offrent des conditions attractives et des politiques RH innovantes, notamment pour l’égalité
  • Elles s’engagent sur le plan caritatif, sportif, culturel et associatif en partenariat avec de nombreuses institutions
  • Elles privilégient le développement durable et la mobilité douce pour leurs employés.

Multinationals contribute to the prosperity and influence of the entire region

The economic vitality and prosperity of the Lake Geneva region are largely dependent on the presence of Swiss and foreign multinationals. As major players in the regional fabric, they are significant job providers, essential partners for thousands of SMEs and self-employed individuals, strong contributors to the funding of the social security system and academia, and key drivers of the region’s international influence.

Multinationals invest heavily in training, welcoming hundreds of young people each year, as well as in research and development. In Switzerland, they account for 89% of R&D investments, helping to position the country among the world leaders in innovation and patents, with major discoveries such as the World Wide Web at CERN and Velcro at EPFL.

Multinationals represent:

119'169 direct jobs in the canton of Geneva
185'576 direct, indirect and induced jobs generated by the presence of multinationals, i.e. 47% of jobs in Geneva
5,5% of the canton's establishments and 32% of jobs
4% companies with at least 250 employees represent 55% of jobs in all multinationals
1,51 employment in the company by employment in a multinational
21,3 billion in added value in the canton of Geneva, or 40% of the cantonal GDP
2,52  billions in tax revenue from the taxation of the income of employees of multinationals and VAT in Greater Geneva

Together to
face the future

In a changing world, business competitiveness is being severely tested by rising costs linked to the strength of the Swiss franc, tax competition between states, growing over-regulation, and international pressure.

This is why multinationals, like SMEs/SMIs, must be able to rely on favorable framework conditions for their development in order to plan for the long-term future:

  • A stable legal and legislative framework
  • A long-term political vision favorable to the entrepreneurial spirit
  • Competitive taxation that meets international standards
  • An efficient social system, a guarantee of industrial peace
  • Facilitated access to a qualified workforce in addition to the local workforce, which implies maintaining the free movement of people
  • Easier access to foreign markets
  • Stable and lasting relations with the EU