Reputation and responsible business

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The canton's reputation depends on the conduct of its companies. The canton cannot control that conduct directly, since the regulation of companies and markets is largely federal. It can, however, use its influence in several ways. It can support federal measures that strengthen the integrity of the commodity sector, such as due diligence obligations and transparency on payments to governments, in a form that is effective without driving companies away.¹ It can cooperate closely with the federal authorities in the enforcement of sanctions and anti-money-laundering rules. It can engage with non-governmental organisations and the public in an open discussion about the benefits and risks of the canton's economic model.

The companies themselves have the main responsibility. The commodity traders have improved their compliance programmes after the corruption cases of the past decade. The crypto industry has developed standards of conduct and supported regulation, while the multinational groups report on their sustainability and their tax contributions. These efforts will need to continue and deepen, since the scrutiny of the public, the media and the authorities will not diminish. A canton whose companies are known for integrity is more resilient than one whose companies are known for scandals, whatever its tax rates.

Notes

MLL News, "Aktienrechtsrevision: Bundesrat legt Zeitpunkt des Inkrafttretens ... der Transparenzregeln für Rohstoffunternehmen fest", 17 September 2020, mll-news.com: Federal Council decision of 11 September 2020, transparency rules for extractive companies (reporting on payments of CHF 100,000 or more to state bodies; then numbered Art. 964a ff. OR) in force 1 January 2021; Federal Office of Justice, "Nachhaltige Unternehmensführung zum Schutz von Mensch und Umwelt", bj.admin.ch: due diligence obligations for conflict minerals and child labour (Art. 964j ff. OR, ordinance VSoTr) in force since 1 January 2022. ↩

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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Reputation and responsible business

Notes

Setting up or expanding in Switzerland?