Swiss Attractiveness Survey - Term Paper Example

? Switzerland Switzerland The aim of this paper is to perform the geographical, industrial, political, social, and cultural analysis of Switzerland, a member of the EU. It also describes the routine life of people as well as their social and cultural peculiarities. This paper provides an overall review of businesses, customs, norms, and laws of the chosen country which make it one of the most preferred countries to live and invest in. The paper depicts the contour of its commerce, economy, and attractions existing in the country. Depiction and Delineation Switzerland is considered to be one of those exceptional countries that are found to be the richest nations by both their economy as well as their beauty. This federal republic is situated in the heart of Europe (Middle Europe) and has been circumscribed by countries including Austria, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein. The foundation of Switzerland is an outcome of the concordance of people with diverse racial, cultural and religious origins. This fact reveals the secret of diversity observed throughout this country. It was established as an independent state by the Federal Constitution in 1848. Several great and notorious places are fancied by tourists including the Matterhorn, the Eiger, and the Jungfrau for their exclusive allurement subsumes French, Germans and Italians respectively. The major languages which are being used in Switzerland as national languages include French, German, Italian, and Romansh. However, Romansh does not equally match the status of other three languages. The hallmark souvenirs of this country are found to be the Swiss cheese and Swiss chocolate. Commerce and Industries Switzerland is found to be one of those exclusive countries that have the most stable economies in the world and has remained a leading financial and business hub. Along with the stability of its own economy, it has also been proved to be a safe harbor for financiers and business groups. The country has served as a safe heaven not only for depositors, but also for investors to place their funds in different businesses. On the basis of this, it is found that the country’s economy, holistically, is based mainly upon foreign investments. There are various kinds of industries which attract entrepreneurs for business progression (Robinson & Schweizer, 2006). The principal industries running in Switzerland are in the manufacturing sector producing either raw material or finished products, or they are involved in producing innovative high quality finished goods, for instance, watches. After manufacturing industries, industries for machineries and chemicals are dominant over other industries by rank. One of the chief as well as the oldest industries found in Switzerland is the food processing industry embodying processed cheese, condensed milk, baby food and, most substantially, the Swiss chocolate products. They are followed by another oldest industrial sector – the textile industry which is found to be mandatory for raw fabrics. However, the paper and plastic industry has also gained substantial elevation in the commerce of Switzerland. If skimmed economically, then Switzerland has achieved the honor to be one of the economic countries with topmost revenues along with the least rate of retrenchment (Switzerland, 2013). Government The government of Switzerland is considered to be divided into three principal levels: • The Confederation. • The Cantons. • Communes. The Confederation, which is also been termed as the federal government, principally deals with the administration of taxes, customs, army, foreign relations, lawmaking of currency, and confederacy communication. The government comprises seven associates possessing comparable rights, and each of them is considered to be foremost in their respective departments. However, decisions are supposed to be adjudicated by voting of the seven members. Nevertheless, these associates are not considered permanent as they are customarily reinstated after four years by the Federal Assembly (Switzerland, 2013). Cantons usually include five parliamentary members, and there are almost 26 cantons in Switzerland. However, they are not like the federal government as they rely upon themselves to be organized in abiding the federal constitution. Along with the combining of cantons in large cantons, their fellow workers accomplish their job in relatively small cantons. The cantons nevertheless concoct the democracy that provides more rights as compared to the federal government (Switzerland, 2013). The communes are considered to be a part of the sovereign local government, and there are usually 3,000 of them in Switzerland. They are to be responsible for the public service. Usually, the communes permit the citizenship of Switzerland instead of the country itself. People and Lifestyle A glimpse about the people and lifestyle of Switzerland would provide a clear cut view of life in this country including its educational, religious, and marital aspects. Education in Switzerland is found to be one of the greatest priorities of this country. As for having a calamity of confined natural resources the country endeavors its peerless diligence for its department of education. The country has both public and private schools. However, people prefer being associated with the public schools as they are economically budgeted as well as offer an exquisite knowledge provision. School education in this country has been categorized into four levels including pre-schooling, primary schooling, elementary schooling, and higher education or schooling. Nevertheless, it is mandatory for each child being a resident of Switzerland to achieve education till the elementary school level. The government of Switzerland is highly helpful in regards of pre-elementary education by providing it free of charge. After the elementary level, the continuation of the higher schooling is dependent upon the will of the students, and they can pursue their goals in the field of vocational education and training or attainment of general education. The country is equipped with a number of commendable universities offering higher education; they host a large number of students both local and international who complete their vocational or general studies. Revealing the religious setup and harmony in this country, it is to be observed that being a freewill state it grants residents a right to follow their own religion without any constraints. However, if analyzed demographically, it is observed that the dominant religions are Roman Catholicism and Protestantism respectively. Nevertheless, the diversity is observed in various religions practiced by people living in the country such as Old Catholics, Jews, Muslims and even Atheists (Switzerland, 2013). The maternal matters and laws include a number of rules that are to be abided by citizens including the adult age factor, i.e. 18 years old minimum; some of them are the approval of guardians, the certificate from the Swiss registry of a civil marriage, and a requisition of legal documents for registration of foreigners. Taboos and Prohibitions Like any prosperous and sophisticated country, Switzerland also bears certain taboos and prohibitions for its residents as well as for foreigners. Some of the substantial taboos to be considered are listed below: • There are certain gestures and expressions that should be highly avoided in the public such as hoaxing someone, having a loud conversation especially over cell phones, addressing anyone with their first name rather than last name, and littering on the road and sideways. However, one of the most substantial found taboos is a gesture of pointing one’s index finger to head. This gesture is exorbitantly prohibited as it is considered to be offensive. • While having lunches and dinners as a part of business or friendly gatherings few things to be abstained, they are asking for salt or pepper unless they are not present on the table and drinking prior to toasting the host. • Considering taboos in regards with gifts certain presents such objects as knives, red roses, carnations, white asters, and white chrysanthemums are tabooed. • One of the most considerable taboos found in Switzerland is about making private inquiries as Swiss people value their privacy inordinately. Business Allurements and Non- Allurements Switzerland is considered to be in the list of the most competitive countries in the world. Being such a competitive country, it provides certain allurements for foreign investors such as its exceptionally low tax policy and its impregnable economy that has succeeded to draw the attention of certain well-known international business firms including Nestle, Novartis etc. Being a part of a free trade zone and mutual accordance with the EU it is considered to be another major business attraction for investors. Its archetypal and ideal geographic location and affiliation with the administrative bodies also add up the business appeal the country has for investors (Winzer & Landolf, 2012). There are also certain business non-allurements associated with this country including the private Swiss banking system, which is found to be the principal non-allurement for aiding foreigners in concealing their fallacious money. Moreover, some companies consider the political environment as a hurdle for establishing their businesses in the country. Conclusively, it can be stated after observing certain facts about Switzerland that despite being a small country with limited resources it has accomplished a lot during its history, and it is rightfully ranked amongst the world’s most competitive countries with excellence in its infrastructure, cultural and social values, etiquette and economic stability so far. ? References Switzerland. (2013). CIA: The World Factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sz.html Robinson, P., & Schweizer, M. (2006). Swiss attractiveness survey. Zurich: Ernst and Young. Winzer, C., & Landolf, U. (2012). Switzerland - A very attractive location. Zurich: PricewaterhouseCoopers. Read More