Saturday, November 15 – Friday, November 21, 2025
Governor Tim Walz will lead a trade mission to Switzerland and Germany from November 15-21, 2025. The delegation will travel to the major business centers of Zürich, Düsseldorf and Berlin. The mission will focus on growing the state's exports of goods and services, showcasing Minnesota as a top destination for business investment, developing new partnership opportunities, and strengthening existing ties.
Switzerland ranks as Minnesota's 22nd largest export destination with exports valued at $232 million in 2024. The Swiss market is sophisticated, highly automated, quality-conscious, and competitive with a world-class infrastructure, and a business-friendly legal and regulatory environment. Switzerland serves as an excellent test market for a range of goods and services, and is strategically placed as a gateway to European markets. Switzerland is one of the world's top countries for R&D, with further potential for partnerships in areas like biotech, medtech, nanotech, cleantech, and renewable energy.
In 2024, Germany was Minnesota's 8th largest export market for goods valued at $649 million, Germany is the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China, and the largest economy in Europe. The volume of trade, number of consumers, and Germany's geographic location at the center of the European Union make it a cornerstone around which many U.S. firms seek to build their European and worldwide expansion strategies. The German market continues to be attractive in numerous U.S. export sectors, including medtech, cleantech, agriculture, and higher education.
Switzerland and Germany both offer ideal markets for companies seeking to expand sales and distribution of products and services in Europe.
The business delegation will showcase Minnesota's diverse and innovative economy, including medtech and health, cleantech and advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and higher education sectors. Companies or delegates not in these industries are also encouraged to apply and will be considered on a space-available basis.
Delegates will attend joint events such as receptions, as well as industry-specific events, including business briefings, site visits and networking events with targeted companies and leaders in each city.
Please complete the mission application form and submit to Jackie Geiger by email at jackie.geiger@state.mn.us no later than Friday, August 15, 2025.
A non-refundable deposit equal to the mission fee of $4,000 is due upon notification that you have been accepted to participate in the mission. This fee covers in-country staff support, in-country group transportation, business briefings and networking events. The mission fee does not include airfare, hotels, transportation and meals outside of specified mission activities, and incidental expenses.
State STEP Grant - The STEP Grant program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets. Small businesses may apply for reimbursement of 50% matching funds up to $7,500 for approved export-development activities to cover their travel, lodging, meals & incidentals, and other allowable fees, excluding the trade mission fee. Contact Jackie Geiger for more information.
Contact Barbara Mattson at barbara.mattson@state.mn.us, 651-248-7230 with any questions related to the trade mission.
