Bilateral Trade

Despite a trade volume regularly increasing during the past decade, the exchange of goods between Switzerland and Bangladesh still remains limited.
The trade volume in 2011 amounted to CHF 307 million (source: Swiss Custom Administration), with Imports to Switzerland accounting for 185.60 Million CHF and Exports from Switzerland for 120 Million CHF. Main exported products from Switzerland are machineries for the textile sector (account for more than the half of the exports), the rest being pharmaceuticals and chemical items. Textiles and ready-made garments are representing more than 90% of the imports from Bangladesh.

Nota bene: Bangladeshi statistics’ figures are slightly different. The major reason behind this difference is the fact that sometime articles for Switzerland (ready-made garments e. g.) are included in bigger orders exported to the neighbouring countries of Switzerland, and from there re-exported to the final Swiss retail shop. The fact that Bangladeshi Fiscal year runs from July to June could also explain differences in statistics.

There is a potential for increased trade between Switzerland and Bangladesh. The positive image of Switzerland in Bangladesh is no doubt an important factor for the promotion of Swiss products and companies in Bangladesh. Main fields of opportunities are textiles, ready made garments and pharmaceuticals, but also investments in the energy sector.

There are currently around 100 Swiss or Swiss related companies represented in Bangladesh by themselves or by agents.


Bilateral Investment

Switzerland has investments in Bangladesh since many years. The Swiss pharmaceutical company Ciba-Geigy was even present before Bangladesh’s independence. Presently a number of large Swiss companies have investments in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, machineries, construction and services. The large Swiss investors are Nestlé, Holcim, Novartis, SGS.

The total Swiss investments stand at 120 million US$, with creation of 2,364 jobs (source: Bangladesh Board of Investment, February 2009).


Contact to Swiss Embassy

Swiss exporters or importers who are interested in trading with Bangladesh, Swiss investors who consider establishing a presence in Bangladesh are welcome to contact the Swiss Embassy in Dhaka. The Embassy is also ready to answer any general queries about economy and trade in Bangladesh. Please contact us through:  vertetung@dha.rep.admin.ch

List of Agreements

Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the People's Republic of Bangladesh on technical cooperation – signed the 07.04.1976

 Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments - signed the 14.10.2000

 Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income – signed the 10.12.2007
(entered into force on 13 December 2009)  Full English version of the agreement can be obtained from Download (on the right panel of this page)

Switzerland Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SBCCI)

The SBCCI - Switzerland Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (formerly SBBF-Switzerland Bangladesh Business Forum, established in 2004) has been registered in August 2009. The chamber presently has 32 members comprising of Swiss investors, Swiss companies, as well as Bangladeshi companies with ties to Switzerland.
The overall goal of SBCCI is promoting Swiss trade and investments in Bangladesh, as well as economic development in general between the two countries. 

 Switzerland Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SBCCI)