know-how Information about Biel/Bienne for companies active in the industrial and service sectors

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1 know-how Information about Biel/Bienne for companies active in the industrial and service sectors

Page 2 In brief An ideal central location Major strategic, transport and

markets Multilingual region unique advantage when recruiting staff and

clusters offering corporate synergies: - High-tech / Microtechnology -

production costs Education and training centres in technology, communications

2 Page 2 In brief An ideal central location Major strategic, transport and language benefits Biel/Bienne F D At the centre of Europe's two most important markets Multilingual region unique advantage when recruiting staff and accessing markets Competitive, above-average corporate tax benefits Industry clusters offering corporate synergies: - High-tech / Microtechnology - Communication / IT - World centre of the watch-making industry Favourable production costs Education and training centres in technology, communications and sport ensure excellent range of skilled personnel available Outstanding quality of land reserves available

Page 3 A major intersect for transport in Switzerland Biel/Bienne is at the centre of Switzerland's transport infrastructure From Biel to Distance (km) Time Car (h) Time Train (H) Zurich 117 1.20 1.

3 Page 3 A major intersect for transport in Switzerland Biel/Bienne is at the centre of Switzerland's transport infrastructure From Biel to Distance (km) Time Car (h) Time Train (H) Zurich Zurich Airport Geneva Geneva Airport Basle Basle Airport Berne Berne Airport Biel/Bienne is excellently located within the Swiss rail and motorway networks Four international airports can be reached from Biel/Bienne within 90 minutes

4 Page 4 Internationality Biel-Seeland is the largest exporting region in canton of Berne Export volume of the regions in canton of Berne, in 1,000 CHF Tausende 4'500'000 4'000'000 3'500'000 3'000'000 2'500'000 2'000'000 1'500'000 1'000' '000 0 Biel/Bienne-Seeland Berne-Mittelland Bernese Jura Oberaargau Emmental Bernese Oberland Source: Swiss customs administration, 2017

5 Page 5 The markets on our doorstep Within 60 minutes journey time, over 1 million jobs and a population of 2 million people can be accessed Population (in 1,000) Accessible within minutes 6'000 Human resources (in 1,000) Accessible within minutes 3'500 5'000 4'000 3'000 2'000 1'000 3'000 2'500 2'000 1'500 1' Source: Wüest & Partner, Zurich, census of enterprises 2017

6 Page 6 An attractive and versatile labour market By main language (in %) German French Italian other Multi-lingual workforce (in %) no information 3+ languages spoken 2 languages spoken 1 language spoken Favourable production conditions Comparison of wages in the precisionand watch-making industries (wages in CHF/month) 6'100 6'000 5'900 5'800 5'700 5'600 5'500 5'400 5'682 5'991 6'062 Espace Mittelland region Zurich area Geneva Profile: SME, active in production, completed vocational training, without managerial position, 40-hour working week, male, 25-years old, 5 years in current job, 13 monthly wages per year Source: Graphic 1 : Federal Office of Statistics, Structure Survey. Projection based on a sample survey. Multiple answers possible. A maximum of three main languages per person are possible. This explains a total of over 100%. Source Graphic 2 : Office for statistics of the city of Biel/Bienne (census held in 2000) Source: Graphic 3: Swiss office for statistics, salarium 2016 (in the sectors: production of medical and optical equipment, precision instruments and watches, NOGA classification 26 FSO)

Page 7 High level of education 1/2 Bern University of Applied Sciences Engineering and Information Technology(BFH-TI) Courses: Applied research in automotive engineering, electrical engineering and

7 Page 7 High level of education 1/2 Bern University of Applied Sciences Engineering and Information Technology(BFH-TI) Courses: Applied research in automotive engineering, electrical engineering and communications technology, informatics, medical technology, micro-engineering, economical engineering Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering(HSB) Bern University of the Arts (HKB) Courses: Swiss opera studio, Théâtre Musical, rhythm, Swiss institute for literature Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen (SFISM) Diploma courses in sport Higher college of technology Mittelland (HFTM) Courses: Electrical- and systemtechnology, mechanical engineering Swiss training institute for nature and environmental protection (SANU)

Page 8 High level of education 2/2 Biel/Bienne school for design (SFGBB) Biel/Bienne vocational training centre (BBZ) Technical college: Training in electronics, micro-mechanical engineering,

8 Page 8 High level of education 2/2 Biel/Bienne school for design (SFGBB) Biel/Bienne vocational training centre (BBZ) Technical college: Training in electronics, micro-mechanical engineering, micro-design and watch-making Grenchen watchmaking school (Zeitzentrum) Higher college for technology in canton of Solothurn (HFT-SO), Grenchen Courses: Production and logistics, micro-technology, informatics and watchmaking Higher college for technology in the Arc jurassien region (ARC), St-Imier, Le Locle, Porrentruy Courses Machine engineering, electrical engineering, micro-mechanics, informatics, watch-making and watch design Biel/Bienne business college (HMS) Biel/Bienne school of commerce (BFB)

9 Page 9 Highly favourable tax situation Example 1 Stock capital and reserves: CHF 100,000 Pre-tax net earnings: CHF 50,000 Example 2 Stock capital and reserves: CHF 2,000,000 Pre-tax net earnings: CHF 400,000 Example 3 Stock capital and reserves: CHF 2,000,000 Pre-tax net earnings: CHF 600,000 13'000 12'000 11'000 10'000 9'000 8'000 7'000 Neuchâtel Berne Biel/Bienne Fribourg Zurich Lausanne Geneva 100'000 95'000 90'000 85'000 80'000 75'000 70'000 65'000 60'000 Neuchâtel Berne Fribourg Biel/Bienne Zurich Lausanne Geneva 150' ' ' ' ' '000 90'000 Neuchâtel Fribourg Berne Biel/Bienne Zurich Lausanne Geneva N.B: Direct federal tax, canton tax and city tax for businesses Source: Swiss federal tax office, 2016

10 Page 10 Above-average size workforce available in the precision industry Jobs (full-time equivalent) in the precision industry* CH Lugano Basel Lausanne Bern Zürich Lucerne St. Gallen Geneva Winterthur Biel / Bienne Ct JU Ct NE AD Biel/Bienne Biel of which watchmaking industry * Manufacture of basic metals, manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment; 26 Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products; 27 Manufacture of electrical equipment; 28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c.; Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, manufacture of other transport equipment; Manufacture of furniture, other manufacturing, repair and installation of machinery and equipment AD = Administrative District Source: Federal office for statistics (STATENT 2015 prov.)

11 Page11 Biel Watchmaking Industry Business Network Bözingenfeld Industrial Zone SBB railway station City centre A5 A5 bypass

Page 12 The watch industry continues to invest in Biel 1/2 Example Rolex Completion: 16.10.

with a new, innovative industrial complex with a volume of 230,000 m 3.

12 Page 12 The watch industry continues to invest in Biel 1/2 Example Rolex Completion: New production facilities The two existing manufacturing facilities, Rolex 4/6, with a total volume of 170,000 m 3, are combined with a new, innovative industrial complex with a volume of 230,000 m 3. Technical operations are accommodated in the Rolex 3 building (36,000 m 3 ), which was refurbished in 2008, and management and all administrative departments is relocated to the Rolex 5 building (80,000 m 3 ). Picture: Christoph Stöh Grünig

Redesign of the company premises Independent museum spaces for Swatch, Omega, and Swatchmobile An educational pathway allows

13 Page 13 The watch industry continues to invest in Biel 2/2 Example Swatch/Omega Project currently under way, completion scheduled for 2018/19 Three additional buildings are being constructed according to the latest environmental and energy-efficiency criteria Redesign of the company premises Independent museum spaces for Swatch, Omega, and Swatchmobile An educational pathway allows visitors to view production activities inside the building New recreation area and hiking trail along the river bank Source: The Swatch Group Ltd

14 Page 14 Biel Precision Engineering Business Network Bözingenfeld Industrial Zone SBB railway station City centre A5 A5 bypass

Page 15 Centre of competence for the precision industry Nicola Thibaudeau

in our area and our proximity to the expertise offered by the College of

when looking to identify industrial partners and when recruiting staff.

Zingg, President Cendres+Métaux Holding SA "Biel/Bienne gets things

The positive business environment in Biel/Bienne provides the perfect

15 Page 15 Centre of competence for the precision industry Nicola Thibaudeau CEO MPS Micro Precision Systems "The concentration of high-tech companies in our area and our proximity to the expertise offered by the College of Engineering and Information Technology provides us with real benefits when looking to identify industrial partners and when recruiting staff." Marco F.Zingg, President Cendres+Métaux Holding SA "Biel/Bienne gets things moving and the wheels of DT Swiss move the world. The positive business environment in Biel/Bienne provides the perfect setting for an SME aiming to become a niche player in the global market. Our new building in the Bözingenfeld area confirms our long-term commitment to the city of Biel/Bienne."

16 Page 16 Biel Commercial network - Communication & Service Sector Bözingenfeld Industrial Zone SBB railway station City centre A5 A5 bypass

Page 17 City of communication Laurent Gfeller, Head of the

makes Biel/Bienne special in another way, too: the range of

major city, but without all the hassle and stress.

" Franziska Füglistaler, Director SWISS TXT "BIEL = Bilingual,

Four words that describe Biel/Bienne and SWISS TXT, too!

17 Page 17 City of communication Laurent Gfeller, Head of the Biel/Bienne branch of Abacus Research AG "The Franco-German mix makes Biel/Bienne special in another way, too: the range of facilities available here is comparable with those found in a major city, but without all the hassle and stress. For me, this is a major advantage in terms of quality of life." Franziska Füglistaler, Director SWISS TXT "BIEL = Bilingual, Innovative, Exciting, Lively. Four words that describe Biel/Bienne and SWISS TXT, too! As a national multimedia centre of excellence operated by SRG, multilingualism is a strategic advantage. In Biel/Bienne, we ve found our ideal location!"

Page 18 Centre of competence for medical technology in Biel/Bienne The Swiss medical technology industry has over 1350 companies, 230 of them based in the canton Bern with around 7000 employees.

18 Page 18 Centre of competence for medical technology in Biel/Bienne The Swiss medical technology industry has over 1350 companies, 230 of them based in the canton Bern with around 7000 employees. Bachelor degree course at Berne University of Applied Sciences Engineering and Information Technology (BFH-TI) in Micro- and Medicaltechnology Master of Science in Biomedial Engineering at BFH-TI in cooperation with the University of Berne Faculty of Medicine Further training in medical technology management and medical IT management Creation of the Competence Center for Medical Technology in cooperation with University of Berne and Medical Cluster Berne (MCB) R&D Specialization "Human Centered Engineering": Development of intelligent surgical operation and measuring instruments, and implants in osteosynthesis, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, medical diagnosis, audiology and neurosurgery. The portal for courses and research projectssources: 1) Swiss Medtech, Branchenstudie die Schweizer Medizintechnikindustrie 2016 (SMTI). / 2) Cluster Medizintechnik, version july 2016

page 19 Silicon Switzerland Innovation: Business incubators are springing up everywhere, and startup centres and new cooperations are emerging Microelectronics and industry in Biel/Bienne Industrial

19 page 19 Silicon Switzerland Innovation: Business incubators are springing up everywhere, and startup centres and new cooperations are emerging Microelectronics and industry in Biel/Bienne Industrial companies The region from Biel/Bienne to Neuchâtel, at the foot of the Jura, is fast becoming a microelectronics cluster, benefiting from the watchmaking industry and the specialist industrial production of major concerns such as ABB and Alstom. Now Georg Fischer is planning to establish a site here transferring R&D to Biel/Bienne in the process. Innocampus Biel/Bienne is also a link of the Switzerland innovation park network, and Innocampus forms part of this. Innocampus is an R&D platform for industrial technology. Drawing on state and private funding, Innocampus has been in existence for one year. The provision of industrial space forms part of its remit. CAMPUS Biel/Bienne Lake Geneva Region: Life sciences, robotics Basle: Pharmaceutical engineering, biotech, medical technology and nanoscience CAMPUS Biel/Bienne Zurich: Financial services technology, computer science, precision goods, life sciences Zug: Financial services technology, medical technology Aargau: photonics, optics Source: Handelszeitung No. 40, October 1, 2015

Page 20 High-tech centre of competence CAMPUS Biel/Bienne - network for applied high-tech research At a prime central location in Biel/Bienne a

Berne University of Applied Sciences (BFH) at a single centralized location. In its June 2014 session, it approved CHF 24.5m in project funding.

decided to make a substantial contribution towards the construction of the new Biel/Bienne CAMPUS.

20 Page 20 High-tech centre of competence CAMPUS Biel/Bienne - network for applied high-tech research At a prime central location in Biel/Bienne a leading-edge high-tech centre of competence: In April 2012 Berne Cantonal Parliament passed a resolution to concentrate the technical disciplines of Berne University of Applied Sciences (BFH) at a single centralized location. In its June 2014 session, it approved CHF 24.5m in project funding. In September 2014, Manufacture des Montres Rolex S.A. decided to make a substantial contribution towards the construction of the new Biel/Bienne CAMPUS. In December 2014, Berne canton Office for Land and Buildings issued a call for tender, with the project being awarded to Pool Architects of Zurich in August Work is due to commence in 2019, and the campus is set to open its doors in Illustrations: pool Architekten

Seite 21 Center of innovation Switzerland Innovation Park - Think tank and innovation hub On 5 June 2015, Switzerland Federal Parliament announced its decision to include Biel/Bienne in its

INNOCAMPUS AG The company was created by representatives of the region s business community, Berne University of Applied Sciences, the Canton of Berne and the City of Biel/Bienne, and has been active

21 Seite 21 Center of innovation Switzerland Innovation Park - Think tank and innovation hub On 5 June 2015, Switzerland Federal Parliament announced its decision to include Biel/Bienne in its Switzerland Innovation Park network. Covering some 14,000 m2, the SIP site in Biel/Bienne will be constructed over the next three years near to the Biel/Bienne CAMPUS development. INNOCAMPUS AG The company was created by representatives of the region s business community, Berne University of Applied Sciences, the Canton of Berne and the City of Biel/Bienne, and has been active since the first quarter of It provides a platform in Biel/Bienne for R&D in industrial technology, with the emphasis on practical applications. Bringing together the business world and R&D, this hot bed for new talent represents one of the first real steps in establishing the ʺSwiss Innovation Parkʺ network. On 14 February 2017, the winning project in the architecture competition was announced. The project FLOW submitted by WALDRAP met the requirements for openness, flexibility and economy while at the same time creating a clear, unique identity and offering a high-quality experience. Illustrationen: Waldrap Architekten, Zürich

Page 22 Strategic land reserves / Key development points Biel/Bienne is the largest land owner in the local authority area, and as such, the city has access to land reserves in outstanding

in Switzerland. Bözingenfeld site: The circular road will make the Bözingenfeld area to one of Switzerland's best-served industrial areas.

22 Page 22 Strategic land reserves / Key development points Biel/Bienne is the largest land owner in the local authority area, and as such, the city has access to land reserves in outstanding locations Master plan Train station site: When Biel/Bienne's motorway circular road is opened, the Master plan Train station district will be a city location with one of the best infrastructures in Switzerland. Bözingenfeld site: The circular road will make the Bözingenfeld area to one of Switzerland's best-served industrial areas. 90% of the site is located within land reserves owned by the city and is being allocated to industrial companies at favourable conditions. Presence of strategic industries in Biel/Bienne: Service sector and communication Watch-making- and precision industry

Page 23 Economic promotion in concrete terms "Your project is our project" Remaining true to this guiding principle, we will provide you with all the assistance you need for your investment project

23 Page 23 Economic promotion in concrete terms "Your project is our project" Remaining true to this guiding principle, we will provide you with all the assistance you need for your investment project in Biel/Bienne Practical and efficient help, from A to Z: Business site information, project support, advice and local contact Assistance in contacting the relevant authorities Support in finding real estate and industrial land for construction, real estate register Financial support for investment projects - in combination with services provided by economic promotion measures at canton level: Tax relief for max. 10 years possible, to a maximum of 100% on city and canton tax Low-interest, fully amortisable investment subsidy, usually to a max. of CHF 300,000 Bank loan security up to a max. of CHF 300,000 for purchase of machinery Please contact us for further information: Economy / Statistics Zentralstrasse 49, CH 2501 Biel/Bienne Tel.: +41 (0) economie@biel-bienne.ch Front cover: Copyright by Armin Strom AG Last update : January 2018

INVESTMENT PROMOTION GGBa Services for Investors Economic Development Instruments

INVESTMENT PROMOTION GGBa Services for Investors Economic Development Instruments INVESTMENT PROMOTION 14.1 GGBa Services for Investors... 151 14.2 Economic Development Instruments... 152 14 Image Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa), Lausanne The Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa) is the investment