In a concerted push to deepen Indo-Swiss economic engagement following the recently signed Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held high-level discussions with Swiss industry leaders in Bern on Tuesday, June 9, the ministry said in a press release on Tuesday.

The visit marked a strategic moment in India’s outreach to global investors, with Goyal urging Swiss firms to view India not merely as a consumer market, but as a long-term hub for manufacturing, innovation, and talent development. 

As part of his engagements, Goyal chaired two focused roundtables with senior representatives from Swiss sectors spanning biotech and pharma, healthcare, precision engineering, defence, and emerging technologies. The sessions, organised with the support of the Indian Embassy in Switzerland, underscored India’s growing capabilities in sustainable manufacturing, high-tech innovation, and cost-effective scalability. 

“India stands ready to offer world-class infrastructure, transparent regulatory systems, and an ecosystem that supports innovation and investment,” said Goyal, positioning India as a key node in Swiss global value chains. 

The Minister invited Swiss companies to leverage India’s large, skilled workforce and competitive ecosystem, and to utilise Invest India’s dedicated EFTA Desk for seamless handholding, policy navigation, and regulatory assistance. 

Swiss corporate leaders echoed a shared confidence in India’s economic trajectory, describing the country as a natural strategic partner. From cutting-edge oncology therapies to industrial automation, fibre optics, cybersecurity, and space tech, companies cited India’s innovation ecosystem and policy clarity as key enablers for future collaboration. 

Several firms indicated plans to explore joint ventures, localised production, and R&D partnerships, not only to serve India’s domestic market but also to use India as a base for exports and global co-creation.

With a growing middle class, a strong intellectual property regime, and government emphasis on ease of doing business, India was widely seen as an emerging destination of choice for Swiss industry seeking long-term investments. 

On the sidelines, Goyal also interacted with members of the Switzerland Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). He praised their contributions in maintaining global professional standards and strengthening India–Switzerland business ties. 

The engagements mark a pivotal step in translating the TEPA framework into tangible investment and technology linkages. Goyal emphasised India’s readiness to pursue mutual recognition agreements and regulatory harmonisation, encouraging Swiss firms to co-create solutions aligned with India’s developmental priorities.