In the first six months of 2010, China including Hong Kong overtook France and the United States to become the second biggest importer of Swiss machinery after Germany. From January to June, Swiss machinery companies exported goods in the value of 1.44 billion Swiss francs to China – an increase of 20%.

Swiss machinery exports increased by 4.5% in the first six months of 2010 – mainly due to the strong Asian markets. While exports to the biggest importer Germany went up by 2.5%, the exports to China (+18.2%) exploded, making the region the second biggest importer of Swiss machinery world wide, according to recent figures of the Swiss Federal Customs Administration. "With machinery imports in the value of 1.44 billion Swiss francs, China overtook France and the United States and is now key market No 2", states Nicolas Musy, Managing Director of the non-profit organization Swiss Center Shanghai (SCS). The SCS offers workshop and office space, legal support, and facilitates the market entry of Swiss companies in the Far East with a network of experts. Musy: "The world financial crisis has changed the Swiss export landscape: While exports to Europe and the United States declined sharply and now need time to pick up, the Chinese market has stepped up to key importance."

With an export volume of 4.2 billion Swiss francs, almost one fourth of all Swiss machinery exports go to Germany. 8% of the Swiss machinery exports go to the second biggest importer China. "With its gigantic infrastructure projects and economic growth, China will become even more important in the future", says Nicolas Musy. The recent export figures show how fast exports to China are developing: In June, Swiss overall exports to the EU grew by 15%. Exports to China increased by astonishing 42.3%.

SCS Machinery Center opened

To support the Swiss machinery industry, the Swiss Center has opened commercial and industrial space dedicated to machinery companies for sales & after-sales, demonstration, client training, and application engineering. The SCS Machinery Center in Shanghai's Xinzhuang Industrial Park offers 2’300sqm to Swiss companies. "It is a concentrated service center. It will serve as an open door for Chinese potential clients to Swiss manufacturing excellence", states Nicolas Musy. More and more machinery companies need to be close to their clients and the Chinese market. "They have to adjust their products to the local requirements. And they need space to offer pre-sales and after sales services", adds Mr. Musy.