The Geneva Council of State presented its economic strategy for 2035. Digital occupies a central place there, with, among other things, the creation of an innovation hub and measures to support the digital transformation of companies.
The Geneva Council of State presented its economic strategy for 2035. Developed by the Cantonal Office for Economy and Innovation (OCEI), this roadmap aims to consolidate the historic sectors that have shaped the Geneva economy, in particular financial center, watchmaking, jewelry, chemistry and the trading of raw materials. In parallel, the canton intends to actively support three sectors identified as emerging: the life sciences, the creative industries and the digital economy. According to the state, these areas “need targeted support to cross a decisive level”. Delphine Bachmann, State Councilor in charge of the Department of Economy and Employment (DEE), believes that these sectors “have the potential to participate in the long term in the prosperity and competitiveness of the canton”.
Digital at the heart of priorities 2025-2030
The digital economy therefore occupies a central place in the cantonal strategy for the coming years. The Department of Economy and Employment (DEE) includes artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain and cloud computing, within a wider set of activities related to the design, production and exploitation of digital technologies.
To strengthen this sector, Geneva provides several targeted actions by 2030. One of the flagship measures is the creation of a Geneva hub of innovation, led by Fongit, which will aim to bring together key players in innovation in an environment conducive to interdisciplinary exchanges and the development of projects with high potential. The canton also wishes to accelerate the creation of start-ups, improve access to financing for young companies and strengthen innovation support systems.
By 2035, Geneva aims to position itself as a digital trust center and an innovation laboratory in digital governance, based on skills already present in specialized fields such as cryptography, fintech or software development.
Digital sector issues and challenges
According to the strategic document published by the State, the development of digital technology in Geneva is based on solid foundations, but several challenges still slow down its expansion.
The canton has a stable legal framework, an international opening and an economic fabric favorable to partnerships. However, the lack of visibility of the local technological ecosystem limits synergies between actors. The shortage of talents, accentuated by a gap between training and market needs, as well as the low notoriety of support systems, slow down the boom. In addition, the rise of digital support policies in other cantons could weaken the attractiveness of Geneva.
The strategy provides transversal measures to meet these challenges: facilitate the adoption of digital technology in SMEs, strengthen employability, support ecological and energy transitions, but also promote digital responsibility for businesses.