Launch Event SEC Romandie

Recap of the Sold-Out Launch Event in Geneva: SEC Expands to Romandie

We are pleased to announce a significant milestone in the history of the Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Central Europe (SEC) – our expansion into the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Romandie! Following SEC’s record-breaking growth in German-speaking Switzerland, it is now time to support the relations of Western Switzerland with the 17 CEE countries.

This milestone was formally celebrated with a sold-out lunch event, held in collaboration with the Chambre de commerce, d’industrie et des services de Genève (CCIG) at the “Maison de l’économie” in Geneva. The event, which took place from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, marked the official expansion of SEC into Romandie, drawing an impressive crowd eager to explore the potential of CEE-Swiss relations.

The event was graced by a panel of distinguished speakers who shared valuable insights on the economic and cultural ties between Switzerland and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE):

Vincent Subilia, Directeur Général of CCIG, highlighted the vital role that chambers of commerce play in fostering economic growth. He warmly welcomed the establishment of SEC’s new presence in Western Switzerland, emphasizing the strategic importance of this expansion.

• Goran Bradic, Serbian Ambassador to Switzerland, praised the ongoing collaboration with SEC and shared details about Serbia’s future-oriented projects, including the much-anticipated Expo 2027 and the country’s robust economic development.
• Louis Coomans, SEC’s Romandie Representative, and Oliver Bertschinger, President and Managing Director of SEC, introduced the chamber’s mission, strategy, and organizational structure. They also explained how Switzerland’s exports to the CEE region have more than tripled from 2013 to 2023, a growth rate surpassing that of exports to China or the US. This remarkable development underscores the significance of CEE as Switzerland’s key growth region in Europe.
  
  
• Aline Staerkle, Director of Public Affairs at JTI, captivated the audience with an overview of JTI’s impressive projects across CEE. With over 4,000 employees and CHF 1.3 billion invested in Poland alone, JTI’s commitment to the region is evident. Additionally, JTI’s active involvement in community investments, both financially and through employee volunteer work, was particularly inspiring.

We were especially thrilled with the huge turnout, which included not only diplomats but also many representatives from the local business community. The event also featured a full house, with attendees expressing their enthusiasm for SEC’s efforts to strengthen Switzerland’s ties with the 17 CEE countries. The Serbian Embassy generously provided the wine, while JTI sponsored the lunch, adding to the event’s warm and inviting atmosphere.

We were also honored by the presence of several other embassy representatives, including Ambassador Ivars Pundurs from the Latvian Mission to the UN and the WTO, as well as diplomats from Slovenia, Slovakia, Czechia, Estonia, and Romania.

The overwhelming support and positive feedback underscore the importance of SEC’s expansion into Romandie. We look forward to hosting more events in this region and continuing our mission to enhance the relationships between Switzerland and Central and Eastern Europe.