Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal engaged with Swiss industry leaders in Bern, Switzerland on June 9, 2025, to strengthen economic partnership under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). He urged Swiss companies to view India as a strategic hub for manufacturing, talent, and innovation, emphasizing the country's commitment to a conducive business environment, transparent regulations, and robust intellectual property protection. Roundtables were held focusing on Biotech, Pharma, Healthcare, Precision Engineering, Defence, and Emerging Technologies. Swiss companies expressed confidence in India's economic trajectory and potential for manufacturing, R&D, and co-creation, with many indicating interest in joint ventures and scaling operations in India. The Minister also met with members of the Switzerland Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce Industry: Indian government ministry responsible for commerce and industry.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister: Title of the government minister overseeing commerce and industry in India.
Shri Piyush Goyal: The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry of India.
Swiss Industry: The collective of industries based in Switzerland.
IndiaSwitzerland Economic Partnership: General reference to the economic partnership between India and Switzerland.
Manufacturing, Talent, and Innovation: Areas that India is promoting itself as a strategic hub for.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi office - source of the press release.
Bern, Switzerland: City and country where Shri Piyush Goyal engaged with Swiss industry leaders.
Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement TEPA: A trade agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
European Free Trade Association EFTA: A regional trade organization and free trade area consisting of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Indian Embassy in Switzerland: The diplomatic mission of India in Switzerland.
EFTA Desk at Invest India: A dedicated desk within Invest India to facilitate investments from EFTA countries.
Invest India: India's national investment promotion and facilitation agency.
Switzerland Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ICAI: A chapter of the ICAI based in Switzerland.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ICAI: The national professional accounting body of India.
Abhijith Narayanan: Name associated with the release of the document.
Biotech Pharma: Industry sector discussed during the roundtables.
Healthcare: Industry sector discussed during the roundtables.
Precision Engineering: Industry sector discussed during the roundtables.
Defence: Industry sector discussed during the roundtables.
Emerging Technologies: Industry sector discussed during the roundtables.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush
Goyal Engages with Swiss Industry to Deepen
India–Switzerland Economic Partnership
Shri Goyal Urges Swiss Companies to See India as
a Strategic Hub for Manufacturing, Talent, and
Innovation
Shri Goyal Chairs Swiss Industry Roundtables on
Biotech, Health, Defence, Precision Engineering, and
Emerging Technologies
Posted On: 10 JUN 2025 11:59AM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, held extensive engagements with
Swiss industry leaders on 9th June 2025 in Bern, Switzerland, aimed at deepening economic
cooperation and exploring new avenues under the recently signed Trade and Economic Partnership
Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
The Minister met with leadership from several premier Swiss companies across diverse sectors with
discussions focused on enhancing synergies between Indian and Swiss enterprises, with a special emphasis on
innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable manufacturing.The Minister extended a warm invitation to
Swiss companies to expand their footprint in India and take advantage of the country's dynamic and rapidly
growing market.
Shri Goyal assured the leadership of India’s unwavering commitment to fostering a conducive business
environment through transparent regulatory processes, a robust intellectual property regime, and pro-
investment policy frameworks. He encouraged Swiss businesses to explore India not just as a market, but as a
strategic hub for manufacturing, talent, and innovation.
Following these strategic discussions, the Minister chaired two focused roundtables with sectoral leaders from
Swiss industry—covering Biotech & Pharma, Healthcare, and Precision Engineering, Defence, and Emerging
Technologies. These sessions, hosted with the support of the Indian Embassy in Switzerland, highlighted
India’s scale, affordability, and rising innovation ecosystem.
The Minister called on Swiss businesses to leverage the dedicated EFTA Desk at Invest India for handholding
and facilitation support. He reiterated India’s willingness to work towards regulatory harmonization and
mutual recognition agreements, highlighting India's proactive stance on building reciprocal bridges to
encourage Swiss and Indian investments.
In addition to industry interactions, the Minister also met with members of the Switzerland Chapter of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). He lauded the chapter for their contributions and for
upholding the high standards and global reputation of the ICAI, while strengthening the India–Switzerlandprofessional and business ecosystem.
Swiss industry leaders across a diverse range of sectors—including biotechnology, precision manufacturing,
healthcare, automation, defence, cybersecurity, and advanced materials—expressed strong confidence in
India’s trajectory as a global economic powerhouse and an innovation-led growth destination.
Companies commended India’s unique strengths: a vast and dynamic market, growing middle class, world-
class engineering and scientific talent, and a policy environment that actively promotes ease of doing
business, IP protection, and technology partnerships. For many, India is not only a promising market but also
an ideal base for manufacturing, R&D, and co-creation of globally competitive solutions.
Several firms indicated active interest in forming joint ventures, scaling operations, and localizing production
to serve both Indian and international markets. From cutting-edge cancer therapies and cell sciences to
industrial automation, fibre optics, space technologies, and digital security, Swiss companies underscored
their alignment with India’s developmental priorities and sectoral growth plans.The sentiment was one of
strategic alignment and long-term commitment. Many participants described India as a natural partner and
conveyed readiness to invest in its next phase of growth—not only to tap into domestic demand but to
position India as a hub in their global value chains.
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Abhijith Narayanan
(Release ID: 2135293)