Switzerland eyes long-term free trade pact with India

BERN: A delegation led by Switzerland's economic affairs secretary will be in India on Tuesday to hold talks with commerce minister Piyush Goyal to help fast track negotiations for a comprehensive trade deal, which both sides hope to conclude soon.

"Switzerland, as part of EFTA (European Free Trade Association) is very keen to conclude a long-term FTA negotiations with success and this is my top priority because there is great potential between the economic relationship with India and EFTA countries in particular Switzerland," Helene Budigere Artieda, state secretary for economic affairs told a group of journalists from India.

Talks on a FTA have dragged on for 15 years but now there is an urgency on both sides to conclude a deal. India has successfully concluded trade deals with Australia and the UAE, and talks are on for a trade deal with Britain and the European Union.

Asked whether Switzerland was willing to give some concession on issues linked to mobility and migration, the secretary said the focus would be on fast tracking the negotiations. "It is a negotiation. It will be difficult to talk about concessions. Just to say I have the mandate to push forward with these negotiations. I do hope we can better our offer very soon," said Artieda.

The Swiss delegation includes Indian-origin MP Niklaus Samuel Gugger and representatives from the Swiss pharma industry. The delegation will also meet health minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The secretary said the effort is to get negotiations to be more dynamic. "And that's why I am traveling for the second time," said Artieda. "So, the time frame we have given is this year. And hopefully we will reach the finishing line. Our wish would be a comprehensive trade deal so it is a win-win negotiation. The other side must also be willing to go for a comprehensive trade deal. But, that for us would be our ideal outcome," said Artieda.


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