Head of EAER travelling to USA on economic and scientific mission
Bern, 03.07.2015 - Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER, will travel to the USA with a business and scientific delegation between 5 and 10 July. The aim of the visit to California, including Silicon Valley, and to Washington is to deepen cooperation, particularly on innovation and vocational training, as well as to strengthen economic relations with the USA.
The first leg of the trip takes the delegation to the west coast. The USA is Switzerland's second most important trade partner and the most important destination for Swiss direct investment. Cooperation with the USA on innovation is already extremely intensive. Of all foreign firms in the US market, Swiss companies already spend the most on R&D.
In Silicon Valley and in the San Francisco Bay Area talks are planned with representatives from leading internet and technology firms, as well as from public and private research institutions. The exchange of experiences should help to further enhance Switzerland's profile in the world's most renowned high-tech location. Switzerland can also benefit from US experiences in developing Swiss Innovation Parks. Over 130 Swiss firms are already present in the Bay Area, and the Swiss government has operated a swissnex office in San Francisco for the last 12 years. In California the head of the EAER is also expected to meet Governor Jerry Brown.
The second leg of the tour is to Washington, D.C. where Mr Schneider-Ammann will meet with US government representatives and members of Congress. The focus of his talks with US Trade Representative Michael B. Froman will be on Switzerland's trade relations, particularly with regard to the planned transatlantic free trade agreement between the USA and the EU (TTIP). The head of the EAER will also sign a declaration of intent on vocational education and training with US Secretary of Commerce Penny S. Pritzker to launch a phase of more intensive cooperation. At the Department of Agriculture he will sign an agreement on the mutual recognition of each country's rules on organic production.
Address for enquiries
Noé Blancpain, Head of EAER Communications
Tel. 058 462 20 07, info@gs-wbf.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
http://www.wbf.admin.ch
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
http://www.wbf.admin.ch
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
http://www.wbf.admin.ch
