EXPERTISE DEDICATED TO YOUR PROJECT Neuchâtel, an industrial canton and exporter, producer of wealth and[...]
A DYNAMIC ECOSYSTEM
The proximity of economic and industrial actors within the Neuchâtel area.
Businesses in Neuchâtel have the first highest density of patents filed with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) per 100,000 inhabitants (2021).
KNOW-HOW
Responsive and agile, the economic fabric of Neuchâtel can apply its historic and innovative know-how cross-functionally to different industries.
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
OPTICS & PHOTONICS
The experts:
CSEM, EPFL, Micro-Cameras & Space Exploration, Alpes Lasers, SAV-IOL, …
BLOCKCHAIN
The experts:
Discover them on their dedicated website, blockchain-neuchatel.ch !
MATERIALS AND SURFACE ENGINEERING
The expert:
Anton Paar, Neocoat, Coat-X, SY&SE, Positive Coating, Lam research, Indeotec, Coloral, Cicor(el), Comelec, …
SENSORS, ACTUATORS & MICROSYSTEMS
The experts :
Te-Connectivity, SGX (Amphenol), On Semi, Melexis, Polar, Cloos electronic, Hybrid, Elfab, EM-Marin, …
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
The experts :
PRECISION MEASUREMENT
The experts :
Laboratoire Temps Fréquence, Spectratime, Groupe Adva, Etel, Melexis, SGX, watchmakers, …
MANUFACTURING & ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
The experts:
Mediliant, Lauener, Ceramaret, ADMO, 3D Precision, Horlaser, Rickenbach, …
INDUSTRIES
An industrial canton (50% of its GDP) and an exporter (33% of the trade surplus), Neuchâtel can count on its strong watchmaking heritage, on which it has capitalized in order to diversify.
LUXURY GOODS & WATCHMAKING
MACHINE-AUTOMATION
MEDTECH
PHARMA
STRATEGIC SERVICES
ICT
PHOTOVOLTAICS
AERONAUTICS
FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS
A veritable incubator for high added value companies, Neuchâtel is one of the most dynamic microtechnology clusters in the world. Well served by major international transport routes, it represents the entire value chain, fostering partnerships between science and industry.
INNOVATION HUB
The innovation hub is like a nerve centre dedicated to the transfer of technologies and know-how between actors in research, education and the economy, with a view to supporting the competitiveness of businesses.
In 2019, three new programmes were designed specifically to support start-ups, SMEs and large businesses in terms of their innovation needs.
With this in mind, technical infrastructure and hosting facilities have been made available to the R&D units of private firms.
In addition to the historic know-how of the canton in the fields of micro- and nanotechnologies, micro-manufacturing and industrial processes, the hub also aims to enhance new cross-functional skills, especially related to collaboration and digitalisation.
www.microcity.chTAXATION
In Neuchâtel, the taxation of legal entities is among the most attractive in Switzerland, itself ranked among the world’s top 10 most competitive countries in fiscal terms.
In addition, the new tax system in Neuchâtel has the great advantage of being perfectly ‘eurocompatible’, thereby ensuring stability for businesses. To find out more, contact us or visit the canton’s page dedicated to the taxation of legal entities (in french)
INDUSTRIAL FABRIC
Today, Neuchâtel enjoys an international reputation for its skills in high technology, particularly in the fields of micro- and nanotechnologies and micro-manufacturing.
The canton’s main industries are watchmaking and luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, machine tools and precision instruments, automation, electronics and microtechnology, as well as medtech. These industries also benefit from the presence of many other local companies offering strategic services (financial, information technology, etc.).
With 50% of its GDP generated by the manufacturing sector, the canton of Neuchâtel is one of Switzerland’s most industrialized cantons.
Open to the world, the canton is responsible for 33% of the trade surplus.
Highly innovative, the canton of Neuchâtel has the first highest density of patents filed per 100,000 inhabitants (IPI, 2021).
QUALITY OF LIFE
The two towns of Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds, located between the mountains and the largest wholly Swiss lake, complement each other well.
The cost of living is lower than in the larger Swiss cities and the housing vacancy rate (1.53% in 2017) is higher than the housing deficit (at 1.5%).
A rich cultural life is on offer year-round with diverse museums (the watchmaking museum, Laténium, the natural history museum, and the Centre Dürrenmatt), numerous concert venues (Case à chocs, Bikini Test, L’Heure bleue, and the Théâtre du Passage) and festivals that have become renowned in Europe (La Plage des Six Pompes, NIFFF, Festineuch, and the Auvernier Jazz Festival).
In 2018, the State of Neuchâtel rose to first place in the index of intercultural public integration policies. It obtained the maximum score for welcoming newcomers, for mediation and for conflict resolution.
MOBILITY
Neuchâtel enjoys a central location.
The airports of Geneva, Basel and Zurich are easily accessible by rail or road, thanks to two arteries of fluid road traffic.
Download the PDFSKILLED WORKFORCE
The canton of Neuchâtel is home to prestigious specialist higher education institutions, and universities and research centres with an international reputation (EPFL, HE-arc, the University of Neuchâtel, CSEM, etc.).
It also offers vocational college (CPNE). As a result, each year hundreds of future employees are trained in diverse sectors, ready to join a company.
Start-ups, SMEs and large companies have local access to a large pool of skilled workers, not only in Switzerland but also in neighbouring France.
Recruitment in Europe is also facilitated by agreements with the European Union.
TRAINING
The Swiss education system is considered to be one of the best in the world. The World Economic Forum (WEF) regularly places Switzerland in the world’s top 3, along with Finland and Norway, in terms of the training of its population (capacity to maximize human capital).
Our research institutes
Partnership between Science and Industry
DNA OF THE CANTON
Three centuries of industrial history have made the economy of Neuchâtel and its companies adaptable and skilled in developing reliable, miniaturised, complex and high added value products. Based on this DNA and backed by strategic services compatible with its needs, the industrial fabric of the region can make all the difference in the face of increased global competition and the economic challenges of the 21st century.
NEUCHÂTEL INSIDE
Neuchâtel – the canton specialising in small, precise, complex, reliable and high added value products.
With watchmaking as a starting point, the canton naturally diversified and specialised. It has become a canton in which small, precise and reliable objects are manufactured quickly, with very high added value.This is thanks to the fruitful cooperation between its rich and diverse industrial fabric and top-level academic institutions and research centres.
Many innovations and technologies in Neuchâtel are found each year in key products sold internationally or are involved in major international research programmes.
Thus for more than 3 centuries the canton’s industries have innovated to offer products and components that serve the progress of humanity.
NEUCHÂTEL OPEN
Anchored in Neuchâtel, connected to the world.
Neuchâtel is an industrial canton, a pioneer and exporter in touch with international realities.
Through its industrial history, the canton has been a producer of wealth, a major exporter, open to the world and above all a pioneering innovator. Moreover, thanks to the quantity and quality of local and international businesses in the medtech/pharmaceutical field based in the area, the canton now belongs to the life sciences cluster of Western Switzerland (Health Valley).
In 2018, the State of Neuchâtel rose to first place in the index of intercultural public integration policies. It obtained the maximum score for welcoming newcomers, for mediation and for conflict resolution.
NEUCHÂTEL FRIENDLY
Neuchâtel – an ideal place to live and work.
The canton of Neuchâtel is an ideal place in which to live and work. Framework conditions are attractive, leisure and cultural activities are numerous, and the natural environment is unspoilt and easily accessible. Furthermore, the cost of living is low (housing, childcare, insurance, restaurants, fuel, etc.) in comparison with other regions that boast a magnificent riviera. The moderate traffic levels mean more precious time for leisure pursuits and family life. It is the canton that offers quality of life.
FAQ
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What is required to set up a business in Neuchâtel?
The requirements according to type of legal status are detailed on the website of the commercial register of the canton of Neuchâtel. The requirements will depend on the legal status of the company. For example, limited companies, LLCs and foundations must be set up through a notary.
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What is required for non-member nationals (originating from countries outside of the European Union and the EFTA) to obtain a work permit?
For non-member countries, work permits are granted to nationals who have a specialised profile and whose contribution is essential to the positive development of society.
Each application is carefully examined. The procedure for non-member nationals to obtain a residence and work permit is explained on the website of the canton’s migration service. -
What is required for EU nationals to obtain a work permit?
The procedure for recruiting an EU national has been simplified. The citizen simply requires an employment contract with a Swiss company, and the procedure is overseen by the municipality concerned (the municipality in which the company is established for cross-border workers, or the municipality of residence for workers who have come to live in the region).
For EU nationals, the procedure for obtaining a work permit is explained on the website of the canton’s migration service.
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Why should you contact the service of the Economy (NECO)?
If you are a business or project developer and you have questions about your economic activity, the development of your company, a project implementation plan, or your relationships with other State services, you can contact the NECO. The Service of the Economy can answer your questions, guide and support you, or put you in touch with the right partners. Feel free to contact us, we are on hand to help you.
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What types of projects receive financial assistance from the canton?
Various types of project can receive support. Projects that create added economic value for the export sector, along with projects that fall within the canton’s ten strategic business areas (SBAs).
The law for promoting economic development – LADE – also encourages the diversification of the economic fabric. Consequently, projects that do not fall within the SBAs may receive assistance if they create value for the regional economy.
Tourism projects that improve the visibility of the canton and create economic value for the region may also receive subsidy support from the Service of the Economy.
The regional economic impact is therefore at the heart of every support decision, and the potential leverage effects in terms of private investment are naturally taken into account. It is also important to note that the aid is in the form of a subsidy intended to boost a project that should be self-sufficient in the long term.