Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Ueli Maurer meet with Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng

Bern, 20.01.2020 -  On 20 January, Federal Councillors Guy Parmelin and Ueli Maurer – who are, respectively, the head the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and the head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) – met with China’s First Vice Premier Han Zheng. The meeting took place in Rüschlikon at the launch of a capacity-building platform that has been set up as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation on trade and financial matters with the high-ranking Chinese guest, and to address issues relating to the rules-based global trading system. Another topic of conversation was the two countries’ agreed-upon cooperation in third markets within the BRI framework. Following the official meeting, Mr Parmelin invited the guests to dinner, which provided an informal setting for further exchanges on current economic policy developments.

Similarly to other European countries, Switzerland’s EAER and FDF entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission in April 2019. By launching this capacity-building platform, the parties involved have taken a concrete step toward implementing their MoU. The platform, which is funded by the private industry, will benefit Swiss and Chinese companies seeking to cooperate in third markets within the BRI framework, by facilitating the exchange of information between them. In addition, it will promote capacities in risk management, project governance and international standards for decision-makers in all countries involved.


Address for enquiries

EAER Communications
Tel. +41 58 462 20 07, info@gs-wbf.admin.ch

Peter Minder, Head of FDF Communications
Tel. +41 58 462 63 01, peter.minder@gs-efd.admin.ch


Publisher

Secretariat-General EAER
http://www.wbf.admin.ch

Secretariat-General FDF
http://www.efd.admin.ch

Last modification 30.01.2024

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