President Ueli Maurer to visit the Gulf region with a delegation from the financial sector
Bern, 25.10.2019 - President Ueli Maurer will pay a visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia between 26 and 29 October accompanied by a delegation from the financial sector. During the visit aimed at strengthening financial and economic relations with the two most important countries for Switzerland in the Gulf region, Mr Maurer will also be received by heads of state in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Riyadh. The official talks are expected to address tensions in the region, Switzerland’s good offices and other issues raised during the political dialogue held in July.
On Saturday, 26 October, Mr Maurer will begin his visit by meeting Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the United Arab Emirates. Together with Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, State Secretary Daniela Stoffel from the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF), and a delegation from the Swiss financial sector, he will then take part in a dialogue on financial policy. A highlight of the visit to the UAE will be the ground breaking ceremony on the site of the Expo 2020, which will take place in Dubai between 20 October 2020 and 10 April 2021. The ceremony marks the official start of construction of the Swiss Pavilion.
On Monday, 28 October, in Riyadh the Swiss delegation will meet the Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, Mohammed bin Maziad Al-Tuwaijri, the Minister of Commerce and Investment, Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, and the Minister of Finance, Mohammed Al Jadaan, with whom Mr Maurer will open a bilateral dialogue on finance. Also on the agenda is an audience with King Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud. On Tuesday Mr Maurer will take part in the Future Investment Initiative forum, where current economic policy and investment issues will be discussed.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have long been Switzerland’s most important trade partners in the Gulf region. Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia were established in 1956, those with the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Cooperation has since intensified and diversified significantly. The regular exchanges also include dialogues on political matters. Switzerland is active in the region through its good offices. It assumed reciprocal protecting power mandates for Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2017.
Address for enquiries
Peter Minder, Head of FDF Communications
+41 79 437 73 61, peter.minder@gs-efd.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Department of Finance
https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html
