The visit
underscores the importance India attaches to its economic engagement with
Switzerland and the other EFTA States. India and the EFTA States—Switzerland,
Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland—signed the Trade and Economic Partnership
Agreement (TEPA)
in March 2024, which entered into force in October 2025. The Agreement provides
a comprehensive framework for strengthening trade, investment and economic
cooperation between the two sides.
During the visit, Shri Goyal is scheduled to meet Ms. Helene Budliger Artieda, State
Secretary for Economic Affairs, and Mr. Guy Parmelin, Federal President
of Switzerland. He will also interact with leading representatives
of the Swiss pharmaceutical industry. Discussions are expected to focus on the
implementation of TEPA, addressing operational issues arising from the
Agreement, and enhancing bilateral trade, investment and institutional
cooperation. On the sidelines of the visit, the Minister will
engage with Swiss companies and investors in Zurich to discuss opportunities
for expanding bilateral trade and investment and to explore avenues for deeper
economic collaboration.
Shri Goyal will be accompanied by senior officials
from the Department
for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The visit is expected to support the
effective implementation of TEPA and further strengthen the longstanding economic
partnership between India and Switzerland.