Mr. President, the United Arab Emirates are today Switzerland’s leading trading partner in the Middle East. Looking ahead, what strategic priorities do you see for further deepening and future-proofing this important economic partnership?

Generally speaking, Switzerland seeks to further strengthen regional stability and security, advance sustainable natural resource management, and support responsible business conduct. Economically, Switzerland aims to safeguard the operating conditions for its companies in the UAE, particularly in finance and high‑value added sectors, while deepening cooperation under existing bilateral agreements and the EFTA–GCC free trade agreement. The UAE is already Switzerland’s most important trading partner in the Middle East, with an annual trade volume of over CHF 20 billion, and both sides are under the strong impression that the peak of trade and investment flows has not been reached yet.

Switzerland and the UAE share a strong alignment in innovation, sustainable finance, and advanced technologies. Which specific areas of cooperation do you believe hold the greatest potential for bilateral growth and long-term value creation?

Switzerland actively promotes cooperation in digitalization, AI, new technologies, and its close relations to link Swiss and Emirati research institutions and businesses. It also supports Swiss start‑ups seeking to leverage the UAE’s diversification agenda. Recent interactions highlighted particularly dynamic opportunities in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotech and med‑tech research, alternative fuels, and trade finance - all sectors where both countries recognize major potential for long‑term value creation.

In an increasingly fragmented geopolitical and global economic environment, how can Switzerland and the UAE further strengthen their partnership to promote stability, resilient supply chains, and open, rules-based free trade?

Switzerland has emphasized that today’s global trade environment is marked by growing tensions, fragmentation risks, and pressure on rules‑based trade, making resilient partnerships even more critical. As a small, globally integrated economy, Switzerland relies heavily on open, reliable market conditions and therefore supports initiatives that reinforce supply‑chain resilience, reduce non‑tariff barriers, and facilitate investment.

«The UAE’s position aligns well with Switzerland’s strengths as a financial center.»

Like us, the UAE also believes in stability and the diversification of trade through the establishment of trade partnerships. The current global trade situation proves that we must extend and broaden our networks to compensate for risks in major trade relations. This shared commitment to multilateralism, free trade and stability provides a strong basis for jointly safeguarding open markets, enabling secure supply chains, and advancing a rules‑based global economic order.

The UAE is positioning itself as a key regional hub for international companies and capital. What role does Switzerland seek to play within this ecosystem - particularly for Swiss SMEs and players in the financial and wealth-management sectors?

The UAE’s drive to position itself as a leading regional hub for global companies and capital aligns well with Switzerland’s strengths as a financial center, innovation leader, and trusted business environment. Switzerland promotes improved market access for its firms – especially in finance – and supports Swiss companies in using the UAE as a platform for expansion into Asian and African markets, a role actively encouraged by Emirati authorities.

For Swiss SMEs and financial‑sector players, the UAE’s strategic location, world‑class logistics, and investor‑friendly environment provide opportunities to deepen wealth‑management services, contribute to the UAE’s fast‑growing digital‑finance ecosystem, and participate in emerging sectors such as advanced manufacturing and healthcare. The recent Swiss‑UAE economic and financial dialogues underscore Switzerland’s intention to remain a constructive partner within this regional ecosystem.

What is your message, Mr. President, to Swiss bankers and financial professionals working abroad, including in the UAE? What concrete role should they play in ensuring that Switzerland remains one of the world’s leading financial centers in the years to come?

Swiss financial professionals abroad – particularly in global hubs like the UAE – play a decisive role in ensuring that Switzerland remains one of the world’s leading financial centres. Recent financial dialogues highlighted Switzerland’s commitment to innovation in digital finance, high regulatory standards, macroeconomic stability, AML/CFT robustness, and sustainable finance.

Professionals representing Switzerland abroad contribute directly to safeguarding this reputation. My message to them is therefore clear: Act as ambassadors of Swiss quality, integrity, and innovation. By fostering responsible financial practices, strengthening client trust, advancing sustainable‑finance solutions, and deepening cooperation with partner institutions, they help secure Switzerland’s long‑term competitiveness in an evolving global financial landscape. This contribution is essential for maintaining Switzerland’s role as a stable, forward‑looking and globally connected financial centre.