Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard on economic mission to India
Bern, 25.04.2008 - Doris Leuthard, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA), will pay an official visit to India between 28 April and 3 May 2008. The economic mission is aimed on the one hand at improving framework conditions and access to the Indian market for Swiss firms, and on the other at promoting Switzerland as a location for business. Federal Councillor Leuthard will be accompanied by representatives from around 25 Swiss firms including a number of board members.
Relations between Switzerland and India are good. This year, in particular, India and Switzerland will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Establishment between the two States. In 1948 Switzerland was the first country to sign such a treaty with India. The economic mission is also intended to mark this anniversary.
During the first stage of the visit in New Delhi, Federal Councillor Leuthard will hold talks with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Kamal Nath. Further meetings are planned with the Minister of Finance, Palaniappan Chidambaram, and with the Minister of Science and Technology, Kapil Sibal. Discussions will focus on appraising the situation in the fields of free trade and market access. The Federal Councillor will also use the opportunity to analyse with her colleagues the progress that has been made in the Mixed Commission on Intellectual Property.
Further stops on the visit will include Bangalore, Mysore and Mumbai where contacts will be fostered on the one hand with the authorities and on the other with companies active in fields that are of particular interest to the Swiss business community.
With a trade volume of CHF 3.26 billion in 2007 (+ 24.2% compared to the previous year), India is an important trade partner for Switzerland in Asia. In 2007 Swiss exports to India rose by 22.3% reaching CHF 2.3 billion. Imports from India last year were valued at CHF 0.95 billion (+ 29%). In international comparison Switzerland is one of the largest investors in India. Today, cumulative Swiss investment in India is in excess of CHF 2 billion. At present there are roughly 150 Swiss companies in India employing around 41,000 people throughout the country.
Address for enquiries
Evelyn Kobelt, Press Spokesperson FDEA, Tel.: 031 322 20 59, Mobile: +41 79 301 71 72
Massimo Baggi, SECO, Head Bilateral Economic Relations with Asia/Oceania,
Tel. 031 322 23 02
Publisher
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
http://www.wbf.admin.ch
