A highly skilled work force, a world-class infrastructure and an international, cosmopolitan atmosphere make Geneva an ideal business site and the best place to be in terms of quality of life. Analysis by Mercer HR Consulting (2005) puts Geneva as the world’s top-scoring city, with 106.5 points. The ranking is based on an evaluation of 39 quality of life criteria for each city, including political, social, economic and environmental factors as well as personal safety, health, education, transport and other public services.

Perhaps this is why the trend in recent years has been for multinationals to open headquarters in Geneva. Procter & Gamble is just one of the high-profile corporations that have set up a base in the city. Switzerland’s global biotechnology leader, Serono, is moving its new world headquarters to Geneva—construction at the site at Sécheron is due to be completed by the end of 2006. The magnificent setting will resemble a university campus and represents an investment of CHF 334 million, making it one of the region’s most important building sites, along with those for watch company Rolex and the Pictet private bank.

Another newcomer to the city’s business scene is the leading player in the world of computer games, Electronic Arts. The company plans to establish an international headquarters for its publishing business in Geneva and expects to be up and running by summer 2006. EA develops, publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for video-game systems, personal computers and the Internet, making it the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. It markets its products under four popular brand names: EA SPORTS’, EA’, EA SPORTS BIG’ and POGO’. In 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies each.

The value that Geneva represents to high-tech companies is illustrated by the exceptional number of research and development facilities here, along with a remarkable reputation for innovation. Geneva remains an optimal environment for businesses active in the fields of biotechnology, medical technology, information and communications technology, microtechnology and the many other sectors that require an intensive investment in research and development.

As the market for interactive entertainment continues to expand around the world, these latest additions to the city’s business community only strengthen its position as a business hub at the heart of Europe.