Big Impact in Business Diplomacy: Estonia & Switzerland
By Anu Nef, Founding and Board Member of Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
Having lived and worked for most of my life between Estonia and Switzerland, I call both places home. These two very different nations share something profound: they are small countries positioned at crucial European crossroads, united by a strong belief that freedom – both personal and entrepreneurial – is at the core of the society.
Both countries keep up the ideal of an effective, lean government with minimal bureaucracy, and fiscal prudence. Estonian and Swiss citizens share the understanding that small nations must be more pragmatic, agile, and quality-minded than their larger counterparts. Culturally, people in both countries might describe themselves as humble, hardworking, nature-loving individuals who prefer action over words – these are, of course, generalizations.
There is a remarkable momentum building in Estonian-Swiss business relations: for three years the Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland (ECCS) is actively connecting businesses and people on both ends. The Chamber has hosted several high-level Swiss-Estonian business community events over the past years. Each gathering has demonstrated a dynamic, forward-looking spirit, and I've consistently witnessed how Swiss excellence and Estonian agility align to spark genuine trust, generate fresh ideas, and build long-term partnerships benefiting both economies.
On 1 July 2025, the Global Estonian Business Network in Tallinn gathered representatives of Estonian chambers of commerce worldwide, including from Switzerland. The international chambers of commerce have emerged as one of Estonia’s most effective tools for business diplomacy and for positioning itself as a trusted partner in our interconnected world. For me, as a board member of the ECCS, it was a powerful reminder that when Estonians abroad unite their experiences and knowledge, we don’t just exchange ideas – we open doors for each other and for businesses back home.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, Estonia continues its strong journey on the global stage, including ECCS’s September event Digital Crossroads: Switzerland × Estonia in Tallinn – another valuable opportunity for business leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore collaboration in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and sustainable innovation.
This November marks a historic milestone as we celebrate 100 years of Swiss-Estonian trade relations, a remarkable achievement for my two home countries. The celebrative business event at Hallenstadion Zürich in Switzerland will gather decision-makers, thought leaders, and innovative companies from both countries to focus on cybersecurity, digital transformation, and European resilience.
This isn’t merely an anniversary celebration, it’s an important foundation for the next century of collaboration between two innovation-driven nations.
It is evident that business diplomacy matters more than ever, especially now, in a world defined by rapid change, geopolitical uncertainty, and technological disruption. Contributing to these connections is both a responsibility and a source of inspiration – a great way to shape the opportunities of tomorrow.
If you are interested in exploring upcoming events and collaboration opportunities, please visit ECCS events or follow our updates and engage with us on LinkedIn.
