Regionalization of Trade and Repositioning of Value-Chains: Opportunities and Challenges for foreign companies in India
House of Switzerland • World Economic Forum 2026
Thursday 22 January 2026
11:00-13:00
Location: Crystal Lounge
The international trade system of the GATT/WTO era is under pressure. Many major economic powers implement policies which aim at getting investments instead of strengthening trade relations.
The result is a regionalization (near-shoring) of supply chains. New countries like India offer foreign companies not only the ability to produce at lower cost but also access to new markets through its growing net of FTAs. The question that arises is: 1) What opportunities and risks arise from this for companies and countries?
In addition, and from a geopolitical perspective, what does it mean for India. India plays a central role, not only economically but also politically, between the West and China and is also the Global South’s advocate. How do these economic and political changes relate to India's geopolitical positioning?
Welcome remarks:
- Ambassador Maya Tissafi, Embassy of Switzerland to India and Bhutan
Opening remarks:
- Assistant State Secretary Martin Saladin, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs
Keynote:
- Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, DPPIT, Government of India
Special remarks:
- Hon’ble Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy, Government of Telangana
Panel speakers:
- Hon’ble Minister Shridar Babu, Government of Telangana, Ministry of Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, Industry and Commerce or Ms. Nivruti Rai, CEO Invest India
- Mr. Bhargav Dasgupta, Vice President Asian Development Bank
- Mr. Stefan Brupbacher, CEO Swissmem
- Hon’ble Minister Isabelle Moret, Canton de Vaud
Closing remarks:
- Anja Fiedler, CEO designate Switzerland Global Enterprise
Contact for public information & event registration:
Florin Müller, Head Swiss Business Hub India, florin.mueller@eda.admin.ch, +91 86578 83457
Contact for media requests:
Deeksha Sharma, Communication specialist, Embassy of Switzerland in India, deeksha.sharma@eda.admin.ch,
+91 88606 91235