Training, research and representation

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The Geneva cluster also includes training and research institutions. The University of Geneva offers specialised programmes in commodity trading, supported by the sector, which train professionals from all over the world.¹ The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement) studies questions of international trade, development and natural resources. Continuing education courses organised by the professional associations complete this offering.

Suissenégoce, the umbrella association, represents the sector before the authorities and the public. Its secretary general and its president take part in the public debate, in particular on competition from Dubai and on transparency efforts.² The association takes part in the Federal Council’s work on commodity trading, in transparency initiatives and in discussions on regulation.

These institutions ensure the reproduction of the cluster: they train the traders, financiers, lawyers and compliance specialists the sector needs, they produce the knowledge that informs decisions, and they maintain the dialogue with society. They represent a long-term investment that the more recent competing centres have not yet made on the same scale.

Notes

Commodity Trading Alumni, “Education” (cta-association.com): Master in Commodity Trading of the University of Geneva launched in 2008 with trading professionals; Suissenégoce, “Master of Science (MSc) in Commodity Trading”: programme established by the University of Geneva (GSEM) in collaboration with Suissenégoce, part-time internship in a trading or trade finance company, accredited sponsor companies, more than 1,200 alumni. ↩
swissinfo.ch, 12 August 2025 and 4 June 2025, cited above. ↩

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

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Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

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Training, research and representation

Notes

Setting up or expanding in Switzerland?