This situation is the result of both the local authorities’ encouraging policies and the development of the natural assets of St. Gallen, which have brought a lot of business investments and relocations to the area.
The Canton of St. Gallen, originally known for its textile industry, was already one of the most important centres of trade in Europe at the end of the 19th Century. Nowadays, it has become a region that hosts a wide variety of economic activities. The micro- and precision technology sector was intensively developed in a joint effort by businesses and universities in conjunction with research institutes. St.
Gallen’s authorities have proven themselves to be cooperative and reliable partners, helping potential investors with quick and fair support. Available properties can be found easily and along with the region’s proximity to Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, good highway, rail service and flight connections are provided.
St. Gallen’s business development office latest success came when Würth, a German fastening and assembly material distributor, decided to establish its international headquarters and training centre with up to 500 employees on the shores of Lake Constance. Some of the most important factors that led to this decision were practical. The proximity to St. Gallen-Altenrhein business airport as well as highway access at a 10-minute drive and a railroad station located across the street were decisive, not to mention the cross-border recruitment opportunities and the proposed tax advantages.
This example, as well as the successful relocation of approximately 200 other companies and investment of more than two billion Swiss francs in the area over the past years, all explain the high appeal of St. Gallen for business activities.
St. Gallen also prides itself on the high quality of its education and institutes of learning. The cities of St. Gallen and Buchs house international schools, three universities of applied sciences and the world famous University of St. Gallen (HSG). These facilities offer children and students an excellent educational environment, while companies profit from the possibility of hiring competent and welltrained employees from them.
However, not only is doing business or studying in St.Gallen appealing, it is also an attractive place to live. Leisure activities in the area include water sports on the lakes, hiking, biking or skiing in the mountains as well as golfing in one of five resorts. Further increasing the quality of life are well-known musical events held regularly in the region, such as the St.Gallen and Bregenz Festivals as well as the St. Gallen Open Air. St Gallen’s Abbey Precinct is listed as one of UNESCO’s Global Cultural Heritage sites and the Abbey’s Library is one of the earliest and most important monastic libraries in the world.
A good example of developing tourism in the Canton of St.Gallen is the Walensee Resort, which opened in December, 2008. In summer, this holiday resort featuring luxurious facilities brings tourists to Lake Walensee for swimming, sailing, scuba-diving and water-skiing while in winter a near-by cable car attracts many skiers to the Flumserberg ski resort and its 65 kilometres of slopes.
For more information please contact: Office for Economy of St.Gallen Juliane Stiegler Director of Business Development Davidstrasse 35 CH-9000 St.Gallen Phone: +41 71 229 35 48 Juliane.stiegler@sg.ch www.location.sg.ch
