Alkagesta Marks SUISSENÉGOCE 20th Anniversary at Geneva Industry Event

Malta-headquartered commodity trading company Alkagesta attended the 20th anniversary celebration of SUISSENÉGOCE, the Swiss Commodity Trading Association, in Geneva on September 3, 2026. Representing the trading house at the event were Chief Executive Officer Orkhan Rustamov and Chief Financial Officer Orkhan Zeynalli. The gathering took place under the big top of Circus Knie, bringing together executives and industry delegates to commemorate two decades of development and institutional advocacy within the Swiss commodity trade sector.

The evening opened with remarks from SUISSENÉGOCE President Nicolas Matter and Secretary General Florence Schurch, who paid tribute to the association's founders, past presidents, board members, and general membership. Matter reflected on the establishment of the organization by co-founders Geert Descheemaeker and Jacques-Olivier Thomann, who originally identified the need for Swiss commodity trading firms to address shared challenges through collective action. This foundational effort subsequently evolved into an established voice for the trading industry.

Addressing the audience, Schurch reviewed the association's achievements over the preceding twenty years, focusing on its responsibilities in representing trading firms, supporting professional education, and consulting with policymakers to bolster Switzerland's status as a global trading hub. She noted that the strength of the hub relies on a broad supporting network that operates alongside core trading houses, citing banks, insurers, logistics specialists, inspection and certification providers, legal professionals, recruiters, educators, and consultants.

Following the executive speeches, attendees watched a performance by the artists of Circus Knie before the anniversary event continued at the Cercle des Bains in Geneva. Alkagesta noted that its presence at the celebration reflects its sustained engagement with Switzerland's commodity trading hub and the specialized institutions that support it. The Malta-based enterprise maintains a global trading footprint spanning more than 48 countries, with operations focused on refined petroleum products, biofuels, fertilizers, and steel products.