The agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states and the Republic of Moldova was signed on behalf of Switzerland by economics minister Guy Parmelin. The ceremony took place during the EFTA Ministerial Conference held in Schaan, Liechtenstein, on June 27.
The agreement has provisions on industrial goods, processed and unprocessed agricultural products, technical barriers to trade, protection of intellectual property, among other areas. Moldova is also the first partner country with which EFTA has agreed provisions on electronic commerce.
“With the conclusion of the FTA [free trade agreement] with Moldova, Switzerland is continuing its successful free trade policy and is thus strengthening the competitiveness of its economy,” wrote the government in a press releaseExternal link. This is also intended to step up economic reforms and the integration of Moldova into European and international trade systems.
The bilateral trade volume between Switzerland and Moldova was around CHF50 million ($55.9 million) in 2022. Switzerland has strengthened ties with Moldova over the last year since the outbreak of war in neighbouring Ukraine. In February, the Swiss government said it planned to send CHF140 million ($151 million) in further humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Moldova.
A government report found that Swiss companies saved CHF2.3 billion in customs duties in 2020 thanks to free trade agreements.
Switzerland may triple tuition fees for foreign university students
This content was published on
Foreign students at ETH Zurich and EPFL may soon have to pay at least three times as much as Swiss students in tuition fees.
Female climate activists could report Switzerland to Council of Europe
This content was published on
The KlimaSeniorinnen association (the Climate Senior Women) is urging the Swiss government to respect the European court’s recent decision.
Horizon Europe is partially open again to researchers in Switzerland
This content was published on
With renewed negotiations with the EU Commission, and thanks to CHF600 million in federal funds, Swiss researchers can again apply for some grants.
This content was published on
Swiss political parties want to ban Hamas and classify it as a terrorist organisation in Switzerland, which would prevent financing and propaganda activity.
Swiss public prosecutor calls for Tariq Ramadan to be jailed for rape
This content was published on
A three-year prison sentence for Tariq Ramadan is being demanded for the rape of a woman in a hotel room in Geneva in October 2008.
Free trade on the table for Swiss minister in India
This content was published on
Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin has wrapped up a two-day visit to India in which he hoped to spark “a new impulse” for negotiations.
Free trade deals save Switzerland billions, study finds
This content was published on
Swiss consumers and importers saved billions of francs in 2018 thanks to lower customs duties as part of free trade deals.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.