Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann on economic mission to Russia

Bern, 11.07.2017 - Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), visited Russia with an economic delegation between 10 and 12 July. The visit by the head of the EAER was intended to renew contacts at ministerial level and show support for the concerns of Swiss businesses. Mr Schneider-Ammann last visited Russia in 2011.

In Moscow Mr Schneider-Ammann held talks with First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov and Minister of Economic Development Maxim Oreshkin. In Yekaterinburg he met the Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, while at INNOPROM, an international industrial trade fair.

The two sides highlighted how crucial digitalisation is for the future of the economy and the vital role education plays on the path to Industry 4.0. The delegation was able to express its concerns to the Russian authorities regarding the terms and deadlines imposed by local content policy in industrial production determined by the Russian government. It also remarked on the difficulties faced by foreign businesses in bidding for public procurement contracts and weaknesses in intellectual property legislation with regard to foreign businesses wishing to enter Russian markets. During the discussion on bilateral and multilateral economic relations, the head of the EAER expressed the concerns of the Federal Council regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and stressed the importance of political progress.

The delegation also visited the Baumann Moscow State Technical University, where they talked with researchers involved in a variety of research projects. Some delegation members also learnt about a vocational training project developed by a Swiss company at the Stankin Moscow State University of Technology.

Russia is a priority country in Switzerland’s foreign economic policy and in 2016 ranked 33rd among our trade partners with a trade volume of CHF 3.6 billion. Switzerland’s main exports to Russia are pharmaceuticals and machinery. The main imports include raw materials for further processing, in particular precious stones and metals. With investments of CHF 8.5 billion (2015), Switzerland is the 10th largest foreign investor in Russia.

Although trade figures are still modest at present Swiss businesses consider Russia to be a market with significant growth potential. Promising areas for cooperation exist in pharmaceuticals, MEM industries, the automobile and railway sector, transport and logistics and energy efficiency.


Address for enquiries

Erik Reumann, EAER press spokesperson, Tel. +41 79 303 81 53; info@gs-wbf.admin.ch


Publisher

Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
http://www.wbf.admin.ch

https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-67511.html