Villiger begins Central Asia tour
A delegation led by the finance minister, Kaspar Villiger, is beginning a week-long visit to Central Asia to discuss financial matters and promote economic ties.
The 10-member delegation is due first in the Caucasus republic of Azerbaijan. From there visits are planned to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The finance ministry said one of the aims of the visit was to develop closer relations with the countries, which Switzerland represents at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Switzerland also hopes to foster technical and financial cooperation with the five states.
“A sustained improvement in the conditions for Swiss exporters and investors will result in closer economic ties,” the ministry said in a statement.
Apart from government representatives, the delegation includes officials from the Swiss National Bank.
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