CEE Day 2026: CEE Matters for Switzerland

With CEE Matters for Switzerland, the Swiss Central European Chamber of Commerce SEC is launching a new three-year initiative at CEE Day 2026. The aim is to highlight why the 17 countries of Central and Eastern Europe, from the Baltics to Central Europe and the Western Balkans, are of strategic importance for Switzerland.

For Swiss companies, CEE is much more than a neighbouring region in wider Europe. It stands for growth markets, industrial expertise, IT and engineering talent, nearshoring, investment opportunities, innovation and new partnerships. At the same time, since the war against Ukraine, the region has become one of the key areas where Europe’s security, stability and cohesion are being tested.

CEE Day 2026 will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, embassies, institutions, universities and partners to discuss one central message:

CEE matters for Switzerland, because Europe’s cohesion, resilience and future competitiveness depend on strong ties with this region.

Why CEE matters for Switzerland

• Switzerland is closely connected with many CEE countries through trade, investment, production sites, services and talent.
• The region is gaining importance through nearshoring, digitalisation, energy and infrastructure topics, as well as the future reconstruction of Ukraine.
• The Western Balkans, the neighbourhood of Ukraine and the Baltic region show that stability, security and European cohesion are also highly relevant for Switzerland.
• CEE offers significant potential, but is still underrepresented in the Swiss economic and European debate.

On 3 September 2026, we will start this dialogue at Zunfthaus zur Schmiden in Zurich and discuss why Switzerland should strengthen its relations with Central and Eastern Europe now.

Save the date. Further information about the programme and speakers will follow.