Minister talks up business opportunities after Central Asia visit
Following a visit to the region, Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann announced on Wednesday Switzerland’s goal to strengthen mutual economic opportunities in Central Asia as China’s ‘Silk Road’ initiative becomes reality.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ln
In an interviewExternal link with the German-language newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, Schneider-Ammann said that the new Chinese Silk Road project was not just a utopia, but a concrete opportunity opening up many possibilities in the region.
Officially known as the “Belt and Road Initiative,” the ambitious project was launched in 2013 by Chinese president Xi Jinping, and aims to resurrect the ancient trade route that facilitated commercial exchange between Europe and Asia.
The project’s ambition to promote trade and improve the transfer of technologies would benefit many people in the Central Asia region, Schneider-Ammann said.
It marks an opportunity for the Chinese to use their enormous foreign currency reserves quickly and effectively, which neither the US nor Europe are doing, he said.
Risks and opportunities
Schneider-Ammann said he preferred to look at the benefits of the project, rather than at the potential risks.
Switzerland did not make itself an enabler of Chinese imperialism by investing into the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, he said, because the sums invested were far too small.
With regards to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the Federal Councillor said that they represent an enormous economic potential, “even just based on the raw materials alone”.
He was particularly impressed by Uzbekistan, where he felt “an enormous will towards progress and cooperation” and said that this mentality provided an ideal basis to build a partnership.
Respect for Trump
The interview also touched on recent political and economic developments in the US. When asked about the president, Schneider-Ammann refused to criticise Donald Trump.
It was unreasonable to expect the Americans “to keep the whole world in order”, whilst amassing huge trade deficits year on year.
As a businessman, Trump knew that “he had to do something”. “I respect that he had the courage to do that,” Schneider-Ammann said.
More
More
Why are Swiss-Chinese relations so close?
This content was published on
Hardly a month goes by without a Chinese minister or delegation visiting Switzerland. An ambassador explains why.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
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.
Read more
More
Chinese president talks trade, innovation on Swiss visit
This content was published on
Chinese President Xi Jinping is in the middle of China’s first state visit since 1999. The two nations have signed several new bilateral agreements.
Tibetans demonstrate against Xi Jinping’s Swiss state visit
This content was published on
Unlike in 1999 during President Jiang Zemin’s visit, demonstrators were only allowed to protest a few hundred metres from the parliament, away from the gaze of Chinese dignitaries. In 1999, Tibetan sympathisers unfurled “Free Tibet” banners in front of the Swiss parliament square. Their actions angered Jiang, who later told the Swiss government that they had…
Dalai Lama begins Swiss visit at House of Religions
This content was published on
In Bern on Wednesday, the Tibetan spiritual leader was formally invited by the House of Religions, a meeting and worship centre for multiple religious communities, including Buddhists. It is “not an official visit” on a governmental level, as Regula Buchmüller, the head of the city of Bern’s foreign relations and statistics office told the Berner…
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.