Exciting opportunities lie ahead, says Piyush Goyal after highly productive Switzerland visit

By Admin

12 Jun, 2025

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a highly productive two-day visit to Switzerland, marking significant strides in strengthening trade and investment ties between India and key global industry leaders. Sharing his thoughts at the end of the visit, Goyal emphasized the positive momentum and trust India continues to inspire on the global stage.

A Warm Wrap-Up in Bern

"Wrapping up a successful two-day visit to the beautiful city of Bern, with warmth, fond memories and new partnerships," Goyal shared on social media platform X. Reflecting on the outcome of the visit, he remarked, "Highly impressed with the curiosity, interest and trust of industry leaders and key stakeholders in India’s growth story. Exciting opportunities lie ahead.”

Boosting Maritime Collaboration

One of the major highlights was Goyal’s interaction with Soren Toft, CEO of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container shipping company. Discussions revolved around MSC’s interest in expanding its operations in India’s rapidly evolving shipping, logistics, and port infrastructure sectors.

Goyal emphasized, “Looking forward to a key partnership in developing sustainable shipping solutions to boost global trade connectivity and supply chain innovation.”

Advancing Sustainable Packaging

The Minister also engaged with Samuel Sigrist, CEO of SIG Group, known for its sustainable packaging innovations. Goyal appreciated the company's expanding footprint in India, including state-of-the-art aseptic packaging plants and local R&D collaborations. He noted, “Delighted to learn about SIG’s commitment to innovation and look forward to deepening our partnership in renewable and high-performance packaging technologies.”

Spotlight on Luxury and Lifestyle

In a separate meeting with Thierry Kenel, CFO of The Swatch Group AG, Goyal discussed the burgeoning demand for luxury goods in India. They explored avenues for collaboration between Swiss watchmakers and India’s vibrant gem and jewellery sector, a key contributor to the country’s exports.

Pharmaceutical Innovation and Healthcare Access

During his interaction with Novartis, a global leader in Pharma and Life Sciences, the focus was on innovation and making affordable healthcare accessible in India. Goyal reinforced India's position as “the pharmacy of the world”, encouraging further investments and partnerships to expand the sector.

Enhancing Infrastructure through Sustainable Technologies

The Minister also met with Hans-Christian Schneider, CEO of Ammann Group, a key player in road construction equipment. Their discussions focused on expanding Ammann’s footprint in India and leveraging sustainable construction technologies to meet the country’s growing infrastructure needs.

Next Stop: Sweden

Following the conclusion of his Switzerland visit, Minister Goyal has now embarked on the second leg of his official European tour in Sweden, where he is expected to engage in similar high-level meetings to bolster economic ties.

With strong interest from global players and India’s economic momentum, Goyal’s engagements reflect a shared optimism for collaboration and innovation across diverse sectors from shipping and packaging to pharmaceuticals and luxury goods.