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September 2024


05.09.2024 EFTA - India

Free trade agreement with India: Federal Council submits dispatch to Parliament

On 4 September, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on the free trade agreement between the EFTA states and India. The agreement strengthens the competitiveness of Swiss exports in the world's most populous country.

August 2024

22.08.2024 FAO

Meeting between Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in Bern

On 22 August, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin received the Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu. Their discussions in Bern focused on Switzerland’s partnership with the FAO and global food security.


July 2024


15.07.2024 CH-IND

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin receives Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal

On 15 July, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), received Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, who had taken up an official invitation from Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin. Discussions focused on the free trade agreement signed by the EFTA States and India in Delhi on 10 March.

01.07.2024 China

Unterzeichnung des Memorandum of Unterstanding

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin travels to China with a business and science delegation

The head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, leads a business and science mission to China from 1 to 5 July. The continuation of good cooperation in these areas is an important goal of the visit, not least with a view to further developing the bilateral free trade agreement that entered into force ten years ago.

>> Video


June 2024


24.06.2024 EFTA - Chile

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin signs modernised free trade agreement with Chile

The EFTA states and Chile signed the protocol of amendment to modernise the free trade agreement in Geneva on 24 June. Switzerland is thus continuing its successful free trade policy and strengthening the competitiveness of the economy.

12.06.2024 UNCTAD

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin attends World Leaders Forum at UNCTAD

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin represented Switzerland at the World Leaders Forum organised to mark the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He also held bilateral talks with a Chinese trade representative and Tunisia’s trade minister.           

10.06.2024 Consumer sentiment

Publication notice: Consumer sentiment higher than a year ago

In May 2024 the consumer sentiment index stood at –38 points. This is 2 points higher than in May 2023. The following sub-indices are higher than in May 2023: past financial situation, financial outlook, and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index has barely changed compared to May 2023: economic outlook.


May 2024


27.05.2024 CH - UA

Meeting with Ukraine deputy prime minister: focus on reconstruction and digitalisation

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, met on 27 May in Bern with Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development and Minister of Digital Transformation. They discussed the economy and reconstruction, as well as cooperation in education, research and innovation.            


April 2024


07.05.2024 ASEAN

Federal Councillor Parmelin meets ASEAN ambassadors for working meeting

Federal Councillor Parmelin received the ASEAN ambassadors for a working meeting on May 7, 2024. He emphasized that Southeast Asia is a dynamic growth region with great opportunities for Swiss companies - particularly in the areas of sustainable trade, the digital economy and infrastructure development.

24.04.2024 Innosuisse

Innosuisse reaches targets set for 2023

The Federal Council approved the annual report of the Swiss Innovation Agency – Innosuisse on 24 April and concluded that the agency is on track to achieve the objectives set for the 2021–2024 dispatch period. Around 600 start-ups were participating in the Innosuisse Start-up Coaching programme at the end of 2023.                  

15.04.2024 Artemis Agreements

International space cooperation: Switzerland signs Artemis Accords

On 15 April Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin signed the Artemis Accords in Washington on Switzerland’s behalf. The Artemis Accords are a political declaration of intent reflecting the signatory states' common understanding of the principles by which they intend to explore and use the moon, Mars and other celestial bodies.

Video

10.04.2024 Horizon

Horizon package: Federal Council to finance transitional measures in 2024

On 10 April, the Federal Council decided on transitional measures for the 2024 calls for proposals under the European Union's Horizon package 2021-2027 (Horizon Europe, Euratom programme, ITER and Digital Europe Programme). A maximum amount of CHF 650 million has been set aside for this purpose. This allocation is drawn from funding earmarked by Parliament at the end of 2020 for Switzerland's participation in the Horizon package. The Federal Council remains committed to achieving Swiss association to the Horizon package as soon as possible.                 


March 2024


27.03.2024 EPFL

Anna Fontcuberta i Morral named as new EPFL president

On 27 March, the Federal Council appointed Anna Fontcuberta i Morral as the new president of EPFL. The 49-year-old is a professor of materials science and engineering at EPFL in Lausanne. She will succeed Martin Vetterli on 1 January 2025.

10.03.2024 FTA with India

Signing of free trade agreement with India

On 10 March Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and his counterparts from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed a free trade agreement with Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Viola Amherd sent video messages for the signing ceremony.

>> VIDEO


February 2024


05-08.02.2024 Saudi Arabia & Qatar

Economic mission to Qatar

During his mission to Qatar, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin met the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mohammad bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani. Together with Finance Minister Ali Al Kuwari, Guy Parmelin opened the second Joint Financial and Economic Commission. Finally, at the invitation of the Minister of Agriculture, Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and his delegation visited Expo 2023 Doha, an exhibition dedicated to horticulture and sustainable development, as well as the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition.

Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, on an economic mission to the Arabian Peninsula:

Saudi Arabia needs new infrastructure. At two round-table discussions, representatives of the Swiss business community will be briefed on potential opportunities. Our companies can make an important contribution. They are signing agreements, for example Stadler Rail for new trains, Hashgraph in the IT sector, and Ionair in the field of ambient air ionisation. There is a great deal of interest, and our country has an excellent reputation here.

02.02.2024 Saudi Arabia & Qatar

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin is to travel to Saudi Arabia from 4-6 February and Qatar from 7-9 February with a large delegation of economic experts. Official talks will take place with various ministers in both countries. In Saudi Arabia, Federal Councillor Parmelin will open a Swiss-Saudi economic forum and in Qatar he will visit the Swiss pavilion at the 2023 International Horticultural Exposition (EXPO 2023 Doha).


January 2024


20.01.2024 EFTA - India

EFTA - India

At the invitation of India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin visited Mumbai on 19 and 20 January. The outcome of the trip was very fruitful: after 16 years of negotiations, Switzerland and India have agreed on the broad outlines of an EFTA-India trade agreement. Although negotiations are not yet complete, a significant breakthrough has been made. The text still needs to be finalised.

20.01.2024 EFTA - Chile

Negotiations on modernisation of free trade agreement

The EFTA states (Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Chile concluded negotiations on the modernisation of their free trade agreement in Santiago de Chile on January 19th 2024. Switzerland is thereby continuing its successful free trade policy and strengthening the competitiveness of its economy.

15-18.01.2024 WEF 2024

WEF 2024

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), used the Annual Meeting in Davos to promote various thematic priorities in the areas of business, trade, research and innovation. Bilateral talks were held with...

15.01.2024 CH- CN

Switzerland and China renew high-level contacts and deepen relations in the run-up to 75th anniversary

On Monday, 15 January, a Federal Council delegation received a Chinese delegation led by Premier Li Qiang at the Lohn Estate for an official visit to Switzerland. Following the discussions, a joint declaration was signed with reference in particular to the finalisation of a joint study launched in 2017 on the further development of the free trade agreement between Switzerland and China. This marks an important step towards the start of possible negotiations.

Last modification 05.09.2024

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