Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Dec 8 /Trend D.Azizov/
Newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Uzbekistan Nicolas Brühl presented his credentials to the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
During the meeting, the sides considered current state and perspectives of development of the Uzbek-Swiss dialogue, actual international and regional issues.
The sides noted that trade - economic and investment cooperation, where the parties have accumulated positive experience of interaction, are key component of bilateral relations
Both sides are expressing interest in implementation of new projects in such areas as chemistry, pharmaceuticals, machinery, electrotechnical products, textile, food and others.
Nicolas Brühl replaced Ann Boti, who conducted the diplomatic mission since February 2009 and completed it in October of this year.
Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Switzerland were established in May 1992. The Swiss Embassy has been operating in Tashkent since May 1993. The main areas of bilateral cooperation are determined at regular meetings of the Uzbek-Swiss intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. Uzbekistan and Switzerland also hold regular political consultations.
Trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and Switzerland are regulated by a number of intergovernmental agreements, including agreements on trade, economic, technical and financial cooperation, encouragement and mutual protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation and prevention of evasion of taxes on income and capital, international road transport passengers and goods of the two countries.
The Swiss government assists Uzbekistan in the sphere of development of entrepreneurship and small private business.
In 2011 the Uzbek-Swiss trade turnover amounted to $107.1 million.
At present, there are 95 enterprises with Swiss capital's stock in Uzbekistan. Some 68 of them are joint and 27 enterprises with 100-per cent Swiss capital.
As many as 35 offices of Swiss firms and companies are accredited under the Uzbek Ministry for foreign economic relations, investments and trade.