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GENEVA: ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST
GENEVA
Situated on the banks of Lake Geneva and impressing with gorgeous views of the Alps in the near distance, Geneva is one of the most impressive cities in Europe. A new study has now also established that it is one of the world’s most entrepreneur-friendly cities.
Jet d‘eau with Mont Blanc in the background. Photo: Loris von Siebenthal, Genève Tourisme
With around 200,000 inhabitants in its city, Geneva is the second-biggest city in Switzerland after Zurich. With its beautiful backdrop of the Alps and Jura mountains, it also is home to the Red Cross and Europe’s United Nations headquarters. In fact, it has the highest number of international organisations in the world and has made a name for itself as a global diplomacy and financial hub.
The international face of the city is also reflected in its multiculturality. While around 60.83 per cent of Geneva’s population is made up of Swiss people, 39.2 per cent are non-nationals, consisting of mainly Portuguese, French, Italian and Spanish nationals. Of non-EU and EFTA migrants, the largest groups come from the USA, Russia, Brazil, Kosovo, Turkey, former Yugoslavia, India, as well as Morocco. French is the predominantly spoken language in Geneva, but most people speak at least one other language. A quarter of Geneva’s inhabitants, for example, also speak English.
SWITZERLAND’S ENTREPRENEURFRIENDLY CITY
As most people might think, entrepreneurship is a challenge regardless of where you are based. However, there are certain factors associated with different locations that can make it more difficult to launch and grow a successful business. The company Compare My Jet recently researched the top locations for entrepreneurs, based on a series of metrics including annual GDP growth, corruption levels, financial stability, GFCI rankings and more.
The Swiss city of Geneva made it to the top of the ranking for a variety of reasons. While Singapore led the ranking, Geneva came sec-
Photo: Genève Tourisme, www.geneve.com
ond. The city’s corruption score of 84 makes it one of the cleanest locations on the list, second only to Singapore with 85. In addition to this, Geneva’s annual GDP growth is -2.4 per cent and Switzerland is low risk for international trade.
Ian Wright, CEO and founder of Compare my Jet, explains: “With the current popularity of remote working, many entrepreneurs decide to take their business activities to the most attractive locations. It is vital for business owners to consider the benefits and drawbacks of a place to live and work and avoid locations with high corruption rate and high risk for international business.”
Assessing 20 cities all over the world, the new research also included Amsterdam in third place, which has a relatively high economic freedom score of 77, and Frankfurt, which is the fourth-least corrupt city in the analysis. The fifth-best city for entrepreneurs to live and work in is New York.
On the other hand, the five least entrepreneur-friendly cities in the world, according to the research, are Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and Paris. As the only city in the research to be considered a sensitive risk city for international business, Hong Kong is the least supportive of entrepreneurial pursuits. The Chinese special administrative region also has the highest new business density figure of all the countries in our analysis, with 19.22.
Photo: Unsplash Cologny, Sphere. Photo: Genève Tourisme, www.geneve.com
Ranking slightly better than Hong Kong are Shenzhen and Beijing. Country-wide, China is a medium-risk country for international business and has an index of economic freedom score of 58, the lowest level out of all the countries researched.
GLOBAL AND LOCAL
While Geneva has a global outlook and an international feel, you can still find corners that make it seem like you’re in a small town with a local charm. Many argue it is the perfect mix. In regards to being a small business owner or entrepreneur, Switzerland as a whole has business-friendly legislation, political stability and great infrastructure. Even better: it’s relatively quick and easy for nonSwiss nationals to set up a company in the country.
Photo: Unsplash
Watchmaking. Photo: Genève Tourisme, www.geneve.com The city has the highest concentration of Michelin starred restaurants per capita in the world
The current metro area population of Geneva in 2022 is 627,000, a 1.13 per cent increase from 2021
The city of Geneva (ville de Genève) had a population 201,818 in 2019
In August, there is a sunrise festival held with musical performances, great breakfast options and more
There is a free open-air cinema on the shores of the lake in summer
With the Geneva Transport Card, you can travel around the city for free during your stay
A study, conducted by NimbleFins in 2020, found that Switzerland is the third-best European country for start-ups by looking at different factors such as general economic health, cost of doing business, labour-force quality, as well as the business environment. Only Germany and the UK were better locations to found a new business. While life is known to not be cheap in Switzerland, the high costs of living and doing business are outweighed by many other positive factors. Entrepreneurs that seek a bustling financial and diplomatic centre, while looking for a great cultural scene and impressive untouched nature in close proximity, can’t really go wrong with Geneva.
UN building. Photo: Genève Tourisme, www.geneve.com
FEIERN UND TAGEN IM SCHAFFHAUSERLAND
Das Schaffhauserland ist eingebettet in eine paradiesische Landschaft, geprägt vom Rhein und endlosen Rebbergen. Mittelalterliche Fassaden und Erker erwarten einen hingegen in der Schaffhauser Altstadt – rund 40 Zugminuten von Zürich entfernt. Wer in der schönen Munot-Stadt eine Event-Location für Anlässe von 30 bis 400 Gästen sucht, ist beim frisch renovierten Pavillon im Park genau richtig.
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I FOTOS: PAVILLON IM PARK & SCHAFFHAUSERLAND TOURISMUS
Das alt-ehrwürdige Gebäude des heutigen Pavillon im Park ist bereits seit 1805 ein beliebter Veranstaltungsort. Im vergangenen Winter wurde es von der Stadt Schaffhausen, Eigentümerin, umfassend saniert und modernisiert. Heute präsentiert es sich in neuem stilvollem Glanz und auch gleich mit einem neuen Namen: Pavillon im Park.
Die Event-Location liegt in einem wunderschönen Park, nur fünf Gehminuten von der mittelalterlichen Schaffhauser Altstadt entfernt. Dank der umfassenden Renovierung trifft hier historischer Charme auf moderne Event-Infrastruktur. Neueste Technik, Klimaanlage und zeitgemäßes Mobiliar sorgen dafür, dass Anlässe jeglicher Art reibungslos ablaufen.
Das flexible Raumkonzept umfasst auf 600 Quadratmetern nicht nur die vier unterschiedlich großen Säle, eine Bühne und das stilvolle Foyer, sondern auch Künstlergarderoben und Dinner. Unser flexibles und kreatives Team sorgt dafür, dass der Anlass auch kulinarisch ein Erlebnis wird.“
Den Gaumen mit regionaler und saisonaler Küche verwöhnen lassen, auf der Terrasse verweilen und mit einem Glas Schaffhauser Pinot Noir im Park flanieren – was wünscht man sich bei einem Event mehr?Dolmetscherkabinen. Private und öffentliche Events für 30 bis 400 Gäste können so sehr individuell gestaltet werden. Ob Familienfeiern, Hochzeiten, Seminare, Konzerte oder Ausstellungen: Das Pavillon im Park schafft im Handumdrehen den passenden Rahmen.
Das lichtdurchflutete, freistehende PavillonGebäude hat eine direkte Verbindung zum baumreichen Park sowie zur herrlichen Terrasse, die für ca. 100 Personen Platz hat. Im Stadtkeller, einem imposanten Gewölbekeller im Nebengebäude, der von 30 Personen genutzt werden kann, wird noch das ursprüngliche Mobiliar aus Ulmenholz verwendet. Hier herrscht eine einzigartige Atmosphäre.
„Zu jedem Anlass wird das passende kulinarische Angebot unterbreitet“, fügt Geschäftsführer Wolfgang Schmiedke hinzu. „Von kleinen Häppchen über einen umfangreichen Apéro riche bis hin zum mehrgängigen Gala www.pavillonimpark.ch