The Commercial Services are an integral part of the Embassy in Ottawa and the Consulates General of Switzerland in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. They provide a wide range of advice and assistance to Swiss companies who are exporting to Canada or are thinking about doing so. Similar services are also offered to Canadian companies seeking sources of supply of Swiss goods and services.

Areas in which they can assist include, but are not limited to:

Services to Canadian Companies

• Locate Swiss products, manufacturers and strategic partners in Switzerland
• Provide information on Swiss companies, products and services
• Information on trade shows in Switzerland
• Information on investments/setting up a company in Switzerland click here

Services to Swiss Companies

• identify potential Canadian agents, distributors and manufacturer representatives
• Provide up-to-date information on the Canadian market
• Information on trade shows in Canada
• Support special events promoting Swiss products and services

Most of these services are available at little or no cost. Do not hesitate to take full advantage of them.

The Embassy in Ottawa provides basic information valid for the whole of Canada.
The Consulates General are competent for the following Canadian provinces: 
Montreal: Québec, New-Brunswick, Nova-Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
Toronto: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Territory of Nunavut
Vancouver: British Columbia, Alberta, as well as Yukon and the Northwest Territories

Swiss Office for Trade Promotion
The Swiss Office for Trade Promotion (OSEC) is Switzerland's leading export promotion organization with offices in Zurich, Lausanne and Lugano. OSEC works closely with Swiss economic and business organizations and institutions and provides information on all aspects of Swiss export activities, business opportunities, trade fairs in Switzerland, etc.

Federal Department of Economic Affairs © DEA

EFTA-Canada Free Trade Agreement: Opportunities for Swiss Business
Report on the Free Trade Agreement EFTA-Canada and the potential of the Canadian Market for Swiss firms (available in English only)

 Report (PDF Format)

Figures and information about the Swiss economy and Swiss foreign trade are available at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs ( SECO).

Swiss goods imported to Canada
2006 Swiss Francs 2'753.2 million
2007 Swiss Francs 2'896.3 million
2008 Swiss Francs 2'418.8 million
2009 Swiss Francs 2'515.7 million
2010 Swiss Francs 2’891.2 million
Major imports: pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, watches, instruments/apparatus, agricultural products

Canadian goods exported to Switzerland
2006 Swiss Francs 1'010.1 million
2007 Swiss Francs 1'142.1 million
2008 Swiss Francs 1'131.2 million
2009 Swiss Francs 830.7 million
2010 Swiss Francs 945.8 million
Major exports: machinery, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, vehicles/aircrafts, paper/paper goods

Canadian Direct Investment in Switzerland
2006 Canadian Dollars 7.6 billion
2007 Canadian Dollars 7.2 billion
2008 Canadian Dollars 7.0 billion
2009 Canadian Dollars 6.7 billion
2010 Canadian Dollars 6.8 billion

Swiss Direct Investment in Canada
2006 Canadian Dollars 14.2 billion
2007 Canadian Dollars 15.9 billion
2008 Canadian Dollars 20.2 billion
2009 Canadian Dollars 22.9 billion
2010 Canadian Dollars 20.3 billion

Data sources: Swiss Customs Administration and Government of Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade