SECO's economic development cooperation

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin will travel to Slovenia on 11 April for a one-day bilateral visit. The programme includes talks with the prime minister and the minister for economic affairs, visits to Swiss companies and discussions with the business community. Mr Parmelin will also sign the bilateral implementation agreement relating to Switzerland's second contribution to Slovenia.

On 8 April, the EFTA States and Ukraine signed a modernised free trade agreement (FTA) in Kyiv. Switzerland is thereby continuing its successful free trade policy and strengthening the competitiveness of its economy. By signing this agreement, Switzerland is strengthening its partnership and demonstrating its solidarity with the country at this critical time. The Federal Council approved the agreement on 2 April.

The fourth International Cooperation Forum (IC Forum), which focused economic development, ended today at ETH Zurich. Participants including federal councillors Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis discussed the importance of local initiatives and cooperation between the private and public sectors. The IC Award was also presented to three Swiss companies for their innovations in the field of development cooperation. Over 1,500 people took part in the forum, both in person and online.