IMD President David Bach will bring international expertise and fresh competitiveness insights to the initiative, at a time when the latest IMD World Competitiveness data sends a clear message: Switzerland is in a strong position, but staying ahead will require sustained effort.
Switzerland is one of the world’s most attractive countries to do business, innovate, live, and work. Keeping it that way is the shared ambition behind “Vision Switzerland 2035,” an initiative IMD is actively supporting. Bach will personally contribute to the initiative’s working groups. “Our visions are a perfect match,” said Bach. “I am delighted to be actively involved in ‘Vision Switzerland 2035’.”
A pivotal moment for Switzerland
The commitment comes at a pivotal moment. In the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking of 70 economies, Switzerland slipped from the top spot to third, behind Singapore and Hong Kong. The decline was driven by a fall in economic performance, which dropped 24 places to 37th, led by a sharp deterioration in foreign direct investment. With a cost-of-living index ranked 65th, Switzerland also remains a high-cost location.
Yet the Ranking also highlights Switzerland’s strengths. The country still ranks first for both government efficiency and infrastructure – powerful foundations on which to build. IMD’s contribution will focus on helping to turn those strengths into renewed momentum.
At the heart of “Vision Switzerland 2035” is a simple but urgent question: “What must we tackle today so that our country remains the best place to live and work for the next generation, too?”
IMD will help answer that question by bringing international expertise, research, and competitiveness data into the initiative’s working groups, with the aim of developing practical solutions for the challenges ahead.
Standing still is not a strategy
“Switzerland’s prosperity rests on the hard work, courage, and entrepreneurship of the past. But every company, every industry, and every nation must keep evolving to defend its competitiveness, innovative strength, and locational advantages. That is especially true today. Standing still is not a strategy,” said Gilbert Achermann, Vice President of the IMD Foundation Board and of Swiss Medtech, and Chairman of the Boards of Directors of Sonova, Ypsomed, and Unilabs.
“I am pleased to bring our business school’s expertise and insights into the initiative’s committees. Because competitiveness is not a status you achieve once and keep forever. It has to be earned anew, again and again,” Bach said.
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Vision Switzerland 2035
Switzerland can do more. Let’s get started.
At a glance
Vision Switzerland is an initiative of more than 50 leading figures from business and academia. It was initiated at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 at the invitation of Gustav Baldinger (CEO of PwC Switzerland); it was officially launched at the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF) in Interlaken. From the outset, the initiative brought together entrepreneurs and executives from a range of industries and regions who personally supported it. Supporters included, among others, Sergio Ermotti (Group CEO UBS), Severin Schwan (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Roche), Suzanne Thoma (Executive Chair, Sulzer), and David Allemann (Co-CEO, On Running).
The goal of the initiative: Switzerland remains the world’s most successful, most innovative, and most livable country in 2035.
