INTERVIEW: MATHIAS LISCHER - HEAD OF PROMOTION & FDI, LUCERNE BUSINESS

World Biz Magazine speaks with Mathias Lischer, Head of FDI & Promotion at Business Lucerne, the organisation responsible for sharing Lucerne's compelling business advantages to the globe.
Lucerne has been selected by World Biz Magazine to receive the recognition of Best International Business Location, 2022. Read our article about Lucerne.
Lucerne – the perfect location for your company. Top level in vocational education, excellently networked universities, low taxes, the highest quality of life, excellent transport connections, security and stability – these advantages make the Lucerne economic region the ideal location for your company.
What is unique about Lucerne in comparison to other regions in Switzerland and the neighbouring countries?
Lucerne as a business location offers excellent framework conditions for companies and their employees. These consist of cost advantages, low corporate taxes, attractive real estate prices and access to qualified specialists. In addition, the central location in the middle of Europe offers excellent access to customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. Furthermore, it is the high quality of life that makes Lucerne very attractive for the recruitment of employees.
"Lucerne is part of the metropolitan area of Zurich and is thus part of the largest ICT and life sciences cluster in Switzerland. In the life sciences sector, the focus is mainly on pharmaceutical/BioTech and MedTech companies. In the field of ICT, it is mainly companies that are active in the fields of AI, FinTech & Blockchain that are attracted to Lucerne by this cluster. We have interesting companies in these two industrial segments and would like to locate a lot more exciting companies."
Talk to us about Lucerne's vision for the business segment?
We see a great deal of potential for the future in two areas in particular: ICT and Life Sciences. Lucerne is part of the metropolitan area of Zurich and is thus part of the largest ICT and life sciences cluster in Switzerland. In the life sciences sector, the focus is mainly on pharmaceutical/BioTech and MedTech companies. In the field of ICT, it is mainly companies that are active in the fields of AI, FinTech & Blockchain that are attracted to Lucerne by this cluster. We have interesting companies in these two industrial segments and would like to locate a lot more exciting companies.
In addition to these future-oriented industries, Lucerne is also very attractive for international headquarter functions. These are industry agnostic. Due to the attractive framework conditions mentioned above, there are numerous international companies that want to set up their global or regional headquarters in Lucerne.

Share with us some recent news of companies locating in Lucerne?
adidas moved its global retail business from Holland to Lucerne in autumn 2019. As of March 2020, the Swiss headquarters were also moved from the canton of Zug to Root. Since then, around 150 employees have been working in the canton of Lucerne.
Organon: Organon is a spin-off of the US pharmaceutical group Merck / MSD, which currently has sales of 6.5 billion US dollars and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Since June 2021, a large part of the global business has been conducted via Lucerne. Organon employs around 200 people in Lucerne.
Tupperware: Tupperware has moved its European headquarters to Lucerne. 50 jobs have thus come to Lucerne.
Share with us some success stories of companies that have been in Lucerne for some time and how they are finding it.
Here you will find a selection of our great testimonials:
Life Sciences:
ICT :
Headquarter:
"In Lucerne, you work where others spend their holidays. The Lucerne region offers mountains and lakes, attractive cities and vast landscapes. The infrastructure, healthcare system and educational opportunities are of first-class quality."
What are the great points about living in Lucerne?
In Lucerne, you work where others spend their holidays. The Lucerne region offers mountains and lakes, attractive cities and vast landscapes. The infrastructure, healthcare system and educational opportunities are of first-class quality. Lucerne is the most popular city in Switzerland with unique and internationally renowned cultural offerings.

What can investors expect from your organisation?
Lucerne Business can be your GPS: We help you to find your way and support you in all the necessary steps, that you can setup your operational business in Lucerne - as quickly as possible. We have a strong business network in the background and offer you professional support together with the specialists from our network.
Here is a brief summary of how we can support you:
- Connect you with cantonal authorities such as the Tax Authority, Migration Office, etc.
- Connect you with tax advisors, trustees and corporate service providers from our network
- Connect you with recruitment companies, so that you can find the right employees quickly
- Connect with banks & insurance companies in the Lucerne area
- Support you in finding an office or construction land in Lucerne
We are happy to look into any other questions / requests that you may have.
"Lucerne Business can be your GPS: We help you to find your way and support you in all the necessary steps, that you can setup your operational business in Lucerne - as quickly as possible. We have a strong business network in the background and offer you professional support together with the specialists from our network."
READ: WHY LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND IS THE BEST INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LOCATION FOR 2022
The Lucerne Business team is personally committed to your concerns. Our services include the areas of promotion, establishing a business, business development and support for startups as well as the expansion and maintenance of the network with the canton, municipalities, business and organizations.