Panaji, Jan 14 (IANS): Making a pitch for Indian investment, Switzerland's ambassador Linus von Castelmur Wednesday said Indian companies should take advantage of his country's liberal tax and flexible labour market.

Castelmur, who conducted a seminar here on Indo-Swiss relations, said Indian businessmen should use Switzerland as a gateway to spread out in Europe.

Castelmur said the "Swiss have an extremely open economy with liberal tax and labour laws and flexible labour market where companies are free to hire and fire", said a statement issued by Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

GCCI is a leading association comprising of the who's who of Goa's entrepreneurs and industry captains.

The statement said trade between India and Switzerland was in the region of about $2.5 billion, but also added that there was scope for a lot more business between the two countries.

The ambassador said Switzerland "could be the gateway to Europe for Indian companies and that 12 of the top 500 MNCs are based in Switzerland".

Despite having no natural resources, Switzerland, according to Castelmur, had maintained its position as one of the top economies thanks to "good government policies and focus on education".

The seminar 'Changing horizons in Indo-Swiss relations: Innovation as new driver for growth' organised by the GCCI was attended by top business persons here and also delved on new ways of collaborations between the Swiss technological advancement and Indian manufacturing capabilities.