Business of Design Week (BODW) is set to usher in a new era of international creative exchange as it announces Switzerland as its year-round Partner Country for 2026. The collaboration — formalised at a signing ceremony on 2 September 2025 — brings together the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong in a landmark partnership that underscores a shared commitment to innovation, design excellence, and long-term cross-cultural collaboration. Switzerland’s globally admired design ethos, defined by innovation, precision, and integrity, will take the spotlight as the partnership unfolds.
Since its inception in 2002, BODW has evolved into Asia’s leading platform for design, innovation, and brand strategy. Co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the HKSAR Government, the event consistently attracts global pioneers eager to exchange insights and shape the future of the creative landscape. Strategic contributors including BrandHK, the Hong Kong Design Institute, the School of Design at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, InvestHK and PMQ continue to bolster the programme’s international reach.
The signing ceremony saw Mr Daniel Freihofer, Consul General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, and Prof. Viveca Chan, Vice-Chairman of HKDC and member of the BODW Steering Committee, formalise the collaboration. Their commitment was witnessed by a distinguished gathering of government officials and industry leaders, reflecting the collective ambition to strengthen ties between the creative sectors of Hong Kong and Switzerland.
Switzerland’s debut as BODW’s Partner Country places its enduring design legacy firmly in the spotlight — from world-renowned watchmaking and contemporary furniture to innovative approaches in urban planning and communication design. Its minimalist aesthetics, functional clarity, and pursuit of quality continue to shape design disciplines around the world.
Mr Freihofer highlights the shared values driving the partnership: “Switzerland and Hong Kong share a strong commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. This partnership with the Hong Kong Design Centre is a celebration of design as a transformative force — one that fosters creativity, strengthens dialogue, and inspires collaboration. We are proud to showcase the richness of Swiss design and to contribute to shaping a future built on creativity, sustainability, and shared vision, inspiring generations to come.”
Prof. Viveca Chan reflects on the synergy between both creative cultures: “Switzerland’s design philosophy — rooted in precision, functionality, and sustainability — resonates deeply with Hong Kong’s dynamic creative spirit. Together, we will explore new possibilities, drive creative development, and inspire the future of design in Hong Kong, Switzerland, and beyond.”
Throughout 2026, Switzerland will present its design excellence in Hong Kong through a vibrant programme of exhibitions, talks, and exclusive events, centred on the BODW Summit. This year-long collaboration aims to foster knowledge exchange, cultivate meaningful partnerships, and stimulate continued innovation across global design communities.
HKDC has also reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with HKTDC, with the two organisations set to co-organise BODW and DesignInspire concurrently in 2026. Audiences can expect an inspiring showcase of creativity featuring interactive experiences, InnoTalks, and hands-on workshops.
