“Located in Biel/Bienne means not only that we can communicate in French but also that we have a privileged access to the German culture. This is useful when specifying products and software which have to suit to the German habits. This area is a bridge between German and Mediterranean Europe.”
Emmanuel Hannard
CEO
Selectron Systems AG
A unique place where French and German culture meet
An early learning center of excellence
The GREATER GENEVA BERNE area (GGBa) is the only place in Switzerland where the country’s French and German roots are so productively entwined. This multilingual heritage means that French and German are taught as standard in all universities; while in the bilingual cantons of Berne, Fribourg and Valais, German and French classes are provided in general from kindergarten to university studies.
A position of strength
With Germany and France either side of the GGBa, the region is well placed to facilitate trade between -and take business to – Europe’s economic powerhouses. Businesses choosing the GGBa as their base do so because a high proportion of their future workforce speaks French or German, or both, thus providing instant access to two of Europe’s largest markets. It is common for GGBa residents to speak a third language too, and in many cases, English post-graduate training is offered by the region’s universities.
Lessons for Business
German and French lessons are compulsory at school throughout the GGBa’s partner cantons, three of which are officially bilingual: Berne, Fribourg and Valais.
Regional variety
Only 20 miles from the predominantly German-speaking federal capital of Berne, the ICT and watchmaking stronghold of Biel/Bienne has a vibrant francophone network attractive to myriad companies wishing to conduct business in French and be at the crossroads of both the French and German markets. Because Switzerland owes its 700-year-old existence to alliances between German, French and Italian-speaking territories, potential investors can be sure that their business will be welcomed with characteristic Swiss openness – no matter what language they speak.
