Swiss companies like engineering firm ABB and logistics group Kuehne+Nagel are stepping up investments in India, driven by rapid growth and a $100 billion trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. TEPA, set to cut tariffs from 22% to zero on nearly 95% of exports, awaits parliamentary approval and could be in effect by late 2025 or early 2026.
ABB, which has increased its Indian workforce from 6,000 to 10,000 since 2020, completed eight projects in India since 2023, aiming to grow its market presence with local manufacturing and research. Meanwhile, Kuehne+Nagel is strengthening logistics operations, adding 2,000 staff since 2019 and opening new centres in Chennai, Gurugram, and Kolkata.
India's projected economic growth of 7% this year has attracted Swiss investments, with EFTA's 15-year investment plan aiming to create one million jobs.