According to the recently released annual U.S. Department of Commerce report "Foreign Direct Investment inthe United States,"Switzerlandwas the largest single investor inthe United Statesin 2010 at more than$42 billion, reportsMario Brossi, North American Senior Advisor to Switzerland Trade and Investment Promotion. The alpine nation headed the list of 8 countries that together represented 84% of total investment that year. Others in descending order were the U.K.,Japan,France,Germany,Luxembourg,NetherlandsandCanada.

On a historical stock basis, namely the investments made by countries sequentially over time,Switzerlandranks in 6th place, with a cumulative total of$192 billion.

"Conversely,United Statescompanies are by far the single largest investors inSwitzerland, significantly outpacing investments from neighboringGermany,Franceor other European neighboring countries," Mr. Brossi commented. "Overall Switzerland is the 7th largest recipient for US FDI globally, amounting to$148.2 billion. More than 800 North American companies are operating inSwitzerlandwith a combined payroll of 72,500."

According to Mr. Brossi, since the beginning of 2011 at least 24 projects fromNorth Americahave landed inSwitzerlandgenerating an estimated$625 millionin investment and leading to about 1,737 new jobs. "Leading location determinants, aside from the growth potential of the market itself, are currently the proximity to other markets/customers, the availability of a skilled workforce, overall business climate and the presence/absence of industry clusters," he said.

Switzerlandcontinues to compete well in these economic development criteria. The country continuously works on improving overall framework conditions to make it even more attractive to foreign investors and foreign investment as recent projects from Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Toshiba andNewell Rubbermaid, among others, make plain.