THE JOINT CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE – COVERING ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN SWITZERLAND AND RUSSIA, UKRAINE, KAZAKHSTAN, BELARUS KYRGYZTAN AND MOLDOVA

Almost 20 years ago, the universe of states which emanate from the former Soviet Union has endorsed the market economy and opened its borders in order to become part of the global economy.

However, in Switzerland information about these countries is still not widely spread and often sketchy This deficiency in knowledge leads to difficulties in starting up new business relations with these potentially interesting markets, let alone the establishing of business and personal relationships so important in the region.The Joint Chamber of Commerce (JCC) which is the successor of the former Community of Interests Switzerland – Soviet Union and later CIS, has incorporated the Chambers of Commerce Switzerland – Russia, – Ukraine, – Kazakhstan, – Belarus, – Kyrgyztan, – Moldova. JCC understands its mission in promulgating general and specialized information about the countries in its area of activities as well as the support of its members for gaining access to these markets which include today 250 million consumers and a combined gross national product of almost 2 trillion USD.The members of JCC can benefit from its extensive network of official and personal relations, participate in business promoting events, attend meetings with visiting delegations from the respective countries as well be part of business delegations travelling to the region. They can attend the regular Speakers’ Luncheons which present foreign or Swiss personalities particularly familiar with specific question concerning business relations with the target area as well as other informative events The growing membership of JCC includes representatives of small, medium and big enterprises of the Swiss manufacturing and service industry as well as individuals.Since two years JCC also welcomes foreign members of the respective countries and supports them in their business efforts in Switzerland .JCC has close cooperation with such organizations as seco (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Economy), OSEC (Business Network Switzerland), economiesuisse (Association of all Swiss Industries) and with a large number of economic and trade associations both in Switzerland and in JCC’s target countries.