Event impressions
Showcasing Swiss Infrastructure Expertise: Exclusive Networking Event in Zurich
On February 26, 2025, Team Switzerland Infrastructure brought together six major EPCs and 24 Swiss companies for an exclusive networking event in Zurich. The gathering highlighted Swiss innovation across various sectors, from cutting-edge rolling stock and signaling systems to tunnel and bridge construction, electrification, track work projects, as well as pioneering cable cars and e-bus solutions.
The day concluded with a traditional Swiss fondue on the Uetliberg—an ideal setting to strengthen valuable connections and foster future collaborations.
Infrastructure Forum Brazil-Switzerland 2024: On the Road to Net Zero
The Brazil-Switzerland Infrastructure Forum was held from October 23 to 24 in São Paulo. Organized in collaboration with Swissnex and the Swiss Embassy, the forum attracted over 360 participants, including high-ranking Brazilian ministers, representatives from the Swiss government, and decision-makers from both countries. The forum opened with speeches by Brazil’s Chief of Staff, Rui Costa, and Swiss State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda. With a focus on decarbonization, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure, the event provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration to address pressing issues on the path to a sustainable future.
Over two days, the forum offered 11 inspiring panel discussions with insights and perspectives from industry leaders like Synhelion, Casale, and Hitachi Energy, as well as sustainability experts from the Blue Dot Network. Topics such as climate-resilient infrastructure, financing, project risks, and profitability enhancement were discussed, giving participants a unique opportunity to share experiences, discuss financing models, and explore innovative technologies.
In addition to the panels, the forum organized targeted matchmaking events and a pitch competition for Swiss startups to showcase new business opportunities and highlight Swiss expertise in sustainability. With representatives from SERV, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), and Swissmem in attendance, Switzerland was well-represented, underscoring its commitment to green partnerships and investment opportunities.
This year’s forum fostered an atmosphere of collaboration and knowledge exchange, emphasizing that the journey to Net Zero requires active engagement from all stakeholders. The panel discussions inspired new perspectives and led to numerous one-on-one meetings, underscoring the forum’s role as a dynamic platform for growth and innovation. On the journey “on the road to net zero,” the Brazil-Switzerland Infrastructure Forum 2024 showcased the power of collaborative action, with all participants contributing to the vision of a sustainable and resilient infrastructure for the future.
InnoTrans 2024
The InnoTrans 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for rail and transport technology, took place from September 24 to 27 at the Berlin exhibition grounds. With around 170,000 visitors from 133 countries, the fair once again confirmed its outstanding role as the leading international event in the industry. It provided professionals and decision-makers from all over the world with a central platform to exchange information on the latest developments and innovations in rail and transport technology.
The Team Switzerland Infrastructure participated with its own booth as part of the joint pavilion of the Swissrail Industry Association, representing the strengths and competencies of the Swiss rail industry. During the four-day event, the team held more than 30 successful meetings, focusing on the innovation and technical expertise of Swiss companies. Emphasis was placed on groundbreaking technological solutions as well as innovative financing models that highlighted the broad spectrum of the Swiss rail sector. The Swiss booth quickly became a vibrant hub for international delegations. High-level representatives from countries such as Brazil, Chile, India, and Saudi Arabia visited the booth to learn about current and future developments in the railway industry. The fair offered Team Switzerland Infrastructure an excellent opportunity to engage with leading international EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), government authorities, and operators. Those meetings saw the discussion of significant infrastructure projects with the potential to facilitate future global collaboration.
InnoTrans 2024 proved to be a valuable platform for promoting international partnerships and further strengthening the Swiss rail industry in a global context. The encounters and discussions at the fair not only strengthened existing relationships but also opened new, exciting prospects for future cooperation. Looking ahead, Team Switzerland Infrastructure is excited about new projects and opportunities that emerged from the promising talks at InnoTrans.
ADB European Roadshow in Zurich: Enhancing Swiss Participation in global Infrastructure and Cleantech Projects
On September 19, 2024, we had the privilege of hosting the Asian Development Bank (ADB) procurement team in Zurich for an insightful workshop aimed at fostering collaboration between Swiss companies and ADB on infrastructure and cleantech projects. The event brought together 26 participants from 14 different Swiss companies, reflecting the strong interest and potential of the Swiss business community in contributing to infrastructure development in Asia.
The workshop facilitated productive discussions on improving procurement and tender processes, with an emphasis on increasing Swiss participation in ADB-funded projects. Key topics included navigating ADB’s procurement policies, understanding project requirements, and identifying potential opportunities for Swiss companies in the infrastructure and cleantech sectors.
We are pleased that Switzerland was included as a key destination on ADB’s European Roadshow, highlighting the relevance of Swiss expertise in the region. The event also benefited from the contributions of our infrastructure experts from the Swiss Business Hub India and the Swiss Business Hub Southeast Asia + Pacific, who shared their insights on market opportunities and challenges through virtual participation.
The active engagement of all participating companies was instrumental in making this workshop a success. We look forward to ongoing collaboration and the growing role of Swiss companies in shaping sustainable infrastructure solutions globally.
Exploring Hydropower solutions: Highlights from the Indonesian Delegation’s insightful visit to Switzerland
From July 8 to 12, 2024, Team Switzerland Infrastructure had the honor of hosting a Delegation from Indonesia led by Mr. Christiyono of PT PLN (Persero) and Akhmad Raihan Ramadhana from Bank Mandiri (Europe) Limited. Their visit began with a Hydropower roundtable in Zurich. Supported by Swissmem and suisse.ing – Schweizerische Vereinigung Beratender Ingenierunternehmunge, the roundtable featured 25 representatives from Swiss companies engaged in global hydropower projects. This was particularly significant given the mutual reliance on hydropower: Switzerland meets over 50% of its energy needs through hydropower, while Indonesia sources approximately half of its renewable energy from this sector.
Throughout their stay, the delegation had the opportunity to explore Switzerland’s advanced hydropower facilities, including run-of-river plants that generate energy from natural river flows and pumped storage plants that store energy by elevating water for future use. As the global shift towards renewables accelerates, these technologies are essential for grid stabilization and serve as large-scale batteries. Switzerland has over a century of expertise in pumped storage, from the historic Wägital plant, inaugurated in 1924, to the cutting-edge Nant de Drance power plant launched in 2022.
The visit highlighted the potential for Swiss solutions in advancing Indonesia’s energy transition ambitions, especially in enhancing hydropower capacity. The event provided an excellent platform for exchanging knowledge, establishing new business contacts, and sharing technology.
Innovative Swiss technologies for water, waste and raw materials management and a circular economy at IFAT 2024
From May 13 to 17, 2024, over 140,000 visitors from 170 countries attended the IFAT trade fair for environmental technologies in Munich. This fair was aimed at municipalities worldwide that are dealing with the challenges of climate change, often in the form of heavy rainfall, floods, extreme heat or water shortages. One of IFAT’s main target groups was the industrial sector, which continually strives to improve energy and resource efficiency.
The trade fair focused on technologies that enable the sustainable use of rainwater, drinking water, industrial and process water, and waste water. It also presented products and services that reduce raw material and energy consumption, and make it easier to recycle valuable materials.
The Swiss tech industry is a world leader in all of these areas. IFAT featured 81 companies from Switzerland and their innovative solutions, among them the firms Rheno AG, Techfina SA, Emile Egger & Cie SA, Boremo Umwelttechnik AG, Bucher Muncipal, Hitachi Zosen Inova, AIK Technik AG, Chetonag Automation AG, DHP Technology AG, Mecana AG and GWF.
Swiss business delegation participate in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) annual business forum
Eight Swiss companies and institutions participated in a fact-finding mission to EBRD’s annual business forum taking place in Yerevan, Armenia from May 13 to 16, 2024. This Forum brings together policymakers, business leaders and experts to discuss infrastructure development in Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine’s reconstruction. Participants learned about EBRD-financed infrastructure projects in transport, energy, and water-sanitation.
In a side event organized by Team Switzerland in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia, these companies and Suisse.ing were able to present their products, services, and solutions in engineering consulting, hydropower, tunneling, road safety, waste-to-energy, and construction inspection to government officials, construction companies, IFI representatives, procurement specialists and contractors.
Swissrail Export Day: Networking and Export Promotion for Swiss SMEs
On April 23, 2024, the Swissrail Export Day took place for the second time on the sidelines of the Foreign Trade Forum by Switzerland Global Enterprise. Swissrail organized a speed-dating event, allowing its members to connect with all the heads of Swiss Business Hubs worldwide. Valuable insights were exchanged between member companies and the Swiss Business Hub leaders to enhance export success, explore new markets, and learn more about the economic benefits of the circular economy.
Swiss companies discover how to engage in water & sanitation projects with the World Bank and IDB
Ten Swiss companies in the water & sanitation sector participated in a fact-finding mission to the World Bank Group and Inter-American Development Bank Group in Washington, D.C. from January 22 to 24, 2024.
- Welcome reception with companies from Austria, Canada, Germany, Spain, the Netherland, the UK
- Meeting with the World Bank Executive Director for Switzerland
- Presentation of the water division at the World Bank and International Finance Corporation
- Presentation of the water division at the Inter-American Development Bank
- Presentation of water projects financed by U.S. development finance institutions (Millenium Challenge Corporation and USAID)
- Three Swiss companies had the opportunity to present their solutions in water & sanitation (Endress + Hauser, Lombardi Engineering and Katadyn Desalination)
- Networking opportunities with other companies and EPCs from other countries
- Farewell reception at Swiss Embassy’s Residence
Today’s Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s Sustainable Development
Our event Today’s Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s Sustainable Development took place on January 17, 2024, in Davos in the House of Switzerland at WEF (World Economic Forum), inaugurated by State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda.
The event was enriched by the presence of esteemed guests from global governmental circles and industry delegations, mainly from the USA, Brazil and India, deepening the understanding of future challenges in infrastructure development.
Highlights included:
- Showcasing Swiss expertise in reshaping large-scale infrastructure, water management and mobility projects with an unwavering commitment to sustainability presented by Mecana Umwelttechnik GmbH, AIK Technik and HESS AG.
- Dynamic panel discussion focused on SERV’s role in international projects, exploring the nuances of sustainability for the National League of Cities and its implications for the projects undertaken by the Indian Shapoorji Pallonji Group. Additionally, the discussion highlighted the pivotal role of sustainability within the Swiss technology industry, as represented by Swissmem.
- Excellent networking opportunities at a high level.
The INFRA Day 2023
Doing Business with International Finance Institutions took place on November 15, 2023, in Zurich with representatives from the World Bank and five regional development banks. With 90 participants, the event enabled Swiss companies to learn about the infrastructure mandate and how to engage with multilateral development banks:
- Panel “Seizing Opportunities with International Finance Institutions”
- Panel “Private Sector Engagement in Infrastructure Finance”
- Presentation of the tender and project database GoGlobal Cockpit
- Presentation of the Swiss export risk insurance SERV
- Breakout Session on Smart Mobility
- Breakout Session on Engineering & Technology
- Networking opportunities
Asian Development Bank provides financing and plans infrastructure projects in Asia and the Pacific region.
Eleven Swiss companies participated in a fact-finding mission to the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines with the following outcome:
- Identification of large infrastructure projects in Asia and the Pacific in transport, energy, and water & sanitation
- Positioning of Swiss infrastructure suppliers, solutions, and engineering consulting services
- Organization of one-to-one meetings between Swiss company representatives and ADB project specialists
- Roundtable discussion with the Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines and with the SECO Advisor to the ADB
- Definition of Switzerland Global Enterprise as private sector liaison for the ADB
Indian a huge accessible market for Swiss rail and mobility Industry!
A very successful Swissrail fact finding mission with various Swiss companies accompanied by Peter Füglistaler Director of Ministry of Transport (BAV) with the following outcome:
- Visibility of the huge project roadmap in India
- Extension of Joint Working group between the Railway Board and the Swiss Ministry of Transport
- Meeting with more than 30 Indian companies to better access big infrastructure projects
- Learn about the new Indian Railway policy to get foreign products easier approved
- Exchange on different localization approaches (Make in India interpretation)
- Share success stories of Swiss companies in India
The U.S. market shows immense potential for the Swiss rail and mobility industry – there is great motivation all over the country to invest!
Swissrail’s fact-finding mission to the U.S. offered our member companies the opportunity to connect with local partners and authorities, learn more about the Build America, Buy America Act, and understand how Swiss innovation can support the transport transition Railvolution. Highlights included:
- Visiting American Public Transportation Association, Brightline Trains, Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and Amtrak
- Meeting with the Mayor of Orange County Jerry Demings
- Stadler networking and supplier event, including a ride on its new H2 train
- ‘Track is Back’ vol. 2 at the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States of America, where policymakers and industry professionals from the U.S., Germany, Austria, and Switzerland came together to exchange best practices for the management of large-scale infrastructure projects on time and within budget
