Switzerland Seeking To Enhance Trade Ties With ASEAN
By Anas Abu Hassan
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Switzerland, which is heavily dependent on international trade, is intensifying efforts to strengthen trade and investment linkages with ASEAN, which has set its sights on becoming the world’s fourth-largest economic bloc by 2030.
Swiss state secretary for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda said the country remains firmly committed to the multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Emphasising that the country's policy has always been actively engaging at the multilateral level, she said it has been very successful in forging bilateral trade agreements with ASEAN members in recent months through the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
At the regional level, she said Switzerland is keen on diversifying its trade and investment relations, including with ASEAN.
It will consider taking a closer look at the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), amongst other regional trade agreements.
"Both RCEP and CPTPP have now been actively suggested to us. We will give these proposals due consideration.
"We have in Switzerland a direct democracy. We would have to consult our parliament and also our cantons, which is the next government level, to see where there is an interest," she said, adding that it is a little bit more advanced in its reflections when it comes to CPTPP.
Artieda said this to Bernama during an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Meeting and related meetings here today.
Commenting on the global trade uncertainties, the state secretary believes that enhancing Swiss-ASEAN trade relationship is incredibly important, while Swiss companies look to the region as a strategic alternative amid rising geopolitical fragmentation.
She added that ASEAN’s growing role as a global manufacturing hub further strengthens its appeal, and the region’s ability to anchor international supply chains makes it a natural fit for Swiss companies.
"ASEAN is incredibly important for Switzerland. Looking at the market size, you have so many people living in ASEAN countries, around 680 million people. It is a young population and these are all economies that have a good growth rate.
"What ASEAN does well is that it positions itself quite well between the different geopolitical powerhouses,” she said.
Artieda said some ASEAN member states have actually been the preferred investment destination for Swiss companies that see the region as a potential global manufacturing hub.
"Not only are you a great market, you have a young population, which is important, as consumers that we can engage early on will remain faithful to Swiss products and services," she said.
-- BERNAMA
