(Yicai Global) Jan. 30 -- More than 30 Chinese companies are seeking to list on the Six Swiss Exchange, Switzerland’s ambassador to China told Yicai Global in a recent interview.

Nine Chinese businesses, including miner GEM and battery maker Gotion High-Tech, have already listed Global Depositary Receipts on the Six Swiss Exchange as part of the China-Switzerland Stock Connect program. Over 30 more are lined up to follow suit, according to Ambassador Jürg Burri and Martin Matter, head of the economic, finance, and trade section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing.

Excerpts of the interview follow below.

YG: Why do some Chinese investors prefer Switzerland to other European capital markets?

Martin Matter: It is relatively simple to get the necessary authorization to list on the Six Swiss Exchange. In addition, Zurich and Geneva have always been important financial centers and can give investors access to European capital markets. Switzerland also has many banks that have good relationships with both private and public investors. In short, Switzerland is a good place and platform to access these capital markets.

YG: Will more Chinese companies enter the Swiss capital market in the future?

Jürg Burri: The China-Switzerland Stock Connect Global Depositary Receipt business was officially launched in July last year. So far, nine Chinese companies have listed on the Six Swiss Exchange, with other 30 companies waiting in line to apply for listings. So the short answer is ‘yes.’

YG: Chinese officials released a policy on Jan. 18 to support foreign investors in building research and development centers in China. What are the main requirements of Swiss companies when building R&D centers in China

Burri: Many Swiss companies that have achieved a certain scale in China are already conducting R&D in China. For example, the two major Swiss pharmaceutical companies of Roche and Novartis, as well as manufacturing company ABB, have established R&D centers in China. Nestlé also has one in Beijing.

Matter: Most applied mechanics companies try to tailor their products to the Chinese market. There are also companies that are undergoing more in-depth R&D. One of the important considerations is data transfer.

YG: How do Swiss companies feel about investing in China?

Burri: There is a certain gap in terms of communication, as managers of Swiss companies and Chinese companies have not been able to meet for several years. If anything has put investment decisions on hold, I think it is this.

I believe the top management can meet again this year. Of course, there is also competition in Asia, and there are other markets besides China, but none of them is the same as China. That's a fact.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi