The Swiss Business Council United Arab Emirates (SBC UAE) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Swiss Business Hub at its annual Gala Dinner on November 15, 2025, at the Bvlgari Resort Dubai. The event is organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of Switzerland and the Swiss Business Hub Middle East, which is also marking two decades of presence in the region. Finews Middle East is the official media partner of the occasion.

Swiss Made in Demand in the Gulf

This special evening will bring together Swiss diplomats, representatives of the UAE government, local dignitaries, members of the Swiss community, and distinguished guests for an elegant night of networking and celebration. The gala honors the achievements of SBC UAE and highlights Switzerland’s dynamic economic footprint in the region.

As in previous years, the gala — traditionally sold out — serves as a meeting point for the Swiss community in the Gulf region. It unites leading figures from finance, business, and diplomacy. Beyond the festive atmosphere, the evening reflects a shared economic development, during which bilateral trade between Switzerland and the UAE has now reached around 25 billion US dollars — increasingly driven by cooperation in finance, fintech, and sustainable innovation.

(Image: Swiss Business Council)

Commitment Pays Off

A central part of the event is the «Lord or Lady of the Matterhorn» award, presented every two years to an Emirati personality who has made exceptional efforts to promote collaboration between Switzerland and the UAE. Previous recipients include H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan and Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi; this year’s laureate will be announced during the gala.

Swiss companies have long established a strong presence in the UAE. Major blue-chip firms as well as numerous SMEs from all industries have maintained offices in the country for decades. Swiss enterprises are also regularly featured prominently in national pavilions at major trade fairs and conferences across the UAE — a testament to the enduring strength and diversity of Swiss economic engagement in the region.