Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on 10 November in London. The MoU is intended to create stronger networking and cooperation between the research and innovation communities of both countries.

Mr Parmelin will also meet Secretary of State for International Trade Kemi Badenoch for bilateral talks, which will focus on further developing the bilateral trade agreement between Switzerland and the UK. Switzerland is keen to continue - and if possible consolidate - its high-level bilateral economic relations with the UK following the latter's withdrawal from the EU.

The UK is Switzerland's eighth largest trading partner with a volume of CHF 12.2 billion (fourth including gold trade, with a volume of CHF 46.2 billion). The UK is the fourth most important target country for Swiss investments, while Switzerland, according to UK statistics, ranks eighth among foreign investors in the UK.

Spain: Talks on key policy priorities

On 10 November, Mr Parmelin will be received by First Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño. On 11 November, he will also meet Spain's Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, for official talks. On the agenda for discussion are, among other things, the two countries' priorities in economic policy in light of the economic, ecological, energy, digital and social changes.

Mr Parmelin will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Swiss Business Hub Spain in Madrid together with representatives of Swiss companies on 10 November. Founded in 2002, the Swiss Business Hub is part of the Swiss Embassy in Madrid and represents the official Swiss organisation for promoting export and location, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE).

Spain is Switzerland's sixth largest trading partner with a trade volume of CHF 20.1 billion (eighth including gold trade). Spain ranks 17th among the target countries of Swiss direct investments, while Switzerland, according to Spanish statistics, ranks eighth among foreign investors in Spain.

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to pay working visits to the UK and Spain