Rapperswil-Jona: Sinoswiss submits building application for Innovation Center

Sinoswiss Holding is buying a 2,000 square meter plot of land in the Schachen area from the city of Rapperswil-Jona for CHF 2.4 million. The company, which already operates a private technology park in China, intends to build an innovation center there. Sinoswiss has now submitted the corresponding planning application, which will be open to the public between November 23 and December 6, according to the city of Rapperswil-Jona. Ownership of the property will be transferred once planning permission has been granted. Sinoswiss intends to locate Swiss companies in the Innovation Center, support them in entering the Asian market and promote start-ups.

The project has been criticized from various sides, writes the city of Rapperswil-Jona in a press release. The city council has therefore revisited the issue. It is aware that the geopolitical situation and the role that China plays in it have steadily worsened in recent years and that the project is being realized in a difficult environment. On sober reflection, however, it is also clear that Switzerland trades intensively with China despite this and is also dependent on it. The city council does not want to ignore this. In addition, the project fits in well with the economic environment of the city and region, says the city council.

A legal dispute is ongoing regarding the land sale and the question of whether it should have been subject to an optional referendum due to the amount of the purchase price. It is not yet clear when the Administrative Court will rule on the petitions. (ah)