Reuters, the world’s leading news and financial information organisation, is celebrating its 150 anniversary this year, 55 of them in Geneva. Reuters opened its Geneva office in 1946 with one journalist. Today, there are over 400 employees. Yesterday (25 June 01) Reuters Geneva opened a new building with space for another 210 people. The Geneva centre is a huge information processing site with worldwide links generating over 700 million accesses per month.

Geneva is the headquarters of Reuters Global Sales & Operations Group and is Reuters second most important management centre in the world. Geneva has seen major development over the years because, in the words of Jean-Claude Marchand, Chief Executive of Global Sales and Operations, ’Geneva provides a convenient, practical location to exercise these global functions. There is a good supply of qualified human talent while communications and other key services function well. The city is ideally situated in the centre of Europe and benefits from its airport being very close to the centre.’

Geneva ‘home’ to remarkable mix of global players

Geneva is the preferred home to leaders in banking, industry, international influence and luxury goods. Partly historical, partly planned, partly serendipitous, the resulting mixture of global leaders from varying branches make of Geneva a rich melting pot of talent, ability, expertise and synergistic excellence. To such an extent that it has been said ‘if Geneva did not exist, it would have to be invented.

Home to 188 multinationals

188 multinationals currently run their global or regional activities from Geneva. Chosen by many multinationals as an ideal site for their Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters, Geneva is felt by many to be the world’s most international city. Certainly the cosmopolitan make-up of the resident population with 40% non-Swiss and where English is spoken just about everywhere helps prove the point.

Home to 154 international organisations

Over 28 000 people work in 154 international organisations in Geneva including United Nations agencies such as WHO, ILO, ITU, WIPO, WTO as well as a host of non-governmental organisations like ISO, IEC, SITA, CERN. The presence of this critical mass of internationally influential organisations continues to make Geneva a key hub in global economic, humanitarian and political activities.

Home to luxury goods manufacturers

Rolex and the world’s most prestigious jewellers and watchmakers make up an unexpected but very important sector of activity. The centre of Geneva rivals the largest international cities for the sheer scintillating beauty of the retail outlets of many of the world’s leading brands in luxury goods. The renown of Switzerland and Geneva in these domains was born centuries ago and continues to thrive with increasing global prosperity.

Home to 84 leading banks

Banking, and more specifically Private Banking, is synonymous with Geneva while the world’s most highly respected banks such as Pictet & Cie, Lombard Odier and Darier Hentsch are part of Geneva’s history. This wealth of banking expertise is reflected in the extensive services available not only to the high net worth individual but also to meet the daily banking requirements of internationally active enterprises.

Home from home

Home to these outstanding leaders, Geneva has been at the centre of European and global activities in one form or another for many centuries. The city has been the home to many famous individuals, and the scene of meetings of great historical significance. However, to many, Geneva is simply ‘home’. A human-sized city with a relatively small population yet with a world-class infrastructure, Geneva offers all the advantages of a leading economic capital but with an environment that makes of Geneva a home from home .

Visit:

‘Why high-tech leaders choose Geneva’: Link

US team identifies Geneva’s winning formula - Location, Language, Lifestyle, Labor and Laws : Link

Ideal business location at the heart of Europe: Link

World-class infrastructure: Link

Ideal business location at the heart of Europe: Link

Business-friendly environment: link

International Geneva: Link

‘Where the living is better’: Link

Multiinational companies in Geneva: Link

International organisations in Geneva: Link

Geneva's Watchmakers Jewellers Goldsmiths Association Link