You can’t have come at a better time
Canton of Vaud, Switzerland “India Mission from 5th to 10th October” to India led by our Vaud Councillor Madam Isabelle Moret
(Conseillère d’Etat du canton de Vaud – Conseillère nationale (2006-2022) – Présidente du Conseil national (2019/2020) Yens, Vaud, Switzerland
Etat de Vaud
University of Lausanne – UNIL
In the midst of the tariff war declared by the USA (50% for India and 39% for Switzerland), we were the first Swiss economic delegation to explore the Indian market one week after the entry into force of the free trade agreement between our two countries.
What a welcome! Beyond the sense of Indian hospitality, how many times have we heard that “we couldn’t have come at a better time”
It was a rich and fruitful week for the entire delegation, which was made up of around twenty Vaudois entrepreneurs (startups and SMEs) specialising in medtech, biotech, IT, sustainability and intellectual property, as well as representatives of the Biopôle Lausanne and CSEM.
Some of them leave with serious proposals for collaboration in India or Switzerland. And all of us with many contacts and above all a better understanding of the issues and the Indian ecosystem.
Isabelle Moret says “Personally, here are the 3 lessons I learned”
1. Explore and seek out new markets. Thank you to Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis for the immense work in promoting the development of free trade agreements and the maintenance of local structures that can support our entrepreneurs.
2. Open your eyes and ears wide, the world is changing and fast. Countries such as China (visited in June) and India are investing heavily in innovation. Let’s be vigilant, let’s not watch the train go by.
3. Be well accompanied. Make concrete contracts. These gigantic markets represent real opportunities for our innovative entrepreneurs and their very high value-added know-how. It’s better to have your back very well.
By signing this free trade agreement with India before the EU, Switzerland has taken a small lead. It’s up to us to take advantage of it, Read the Article by Vaud State Councillor Madam Moret mentioning it in the Le Temps newspaper that accompanied her to India (link to the article)
In short, the seeds are planted for Switzerland and India. All that remains is to make them bear fruit.
