Free trade deal with India makes progress
Swiss Economics Minister Doris Leuthard, on an official trip to India, says a free trade agreement between Bern and New Delhi could be completed within a year.
Leuthhard, who is accompanied by representatives of 25 Swiss firms, made the announcement on Tuesday after meeting the Indian minister of trade and industry, Kamal Nath.
She said such an accord was important for both countries, adding that a major delegation representing small and medium-sized business would be included in a follow-up visit next year.
Talks on the free trade agreement were launched in January with the European Free Trade Association, of which Switzerland is a member.
Trade volume between the two countries totalled SFr3.3 billion ($3.2 billion) in 2007 and at present there are around 150 Swiss companies in India employing 41,000 people.
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