Switzerland has pledged medical aid worth 5 million francs ($ 5.5 million) to Vietnam, which is battling a serious coronavirus epidemic.
This content was published on August 6, 2021 – 15:42
FDFA / Reuters / SWI swissinfo.ch/ilj
The delivery of Swiss humanitarian aid will include 13 tonnes of medical equipment, including respirators, as well as antigen tests and protective masks, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said.External link Friday.
Vietnam is currently facing one of its worst epidemicsExternal link so far, with around a third of the country’s 63 cities and provinces under strict coronavirus restrictions. As of Friday, 8,324 new infections were reported in the country.
At work
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis was in the country as part of a six-day working visit to Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Laos.
In high-level ministerial talks, Cassis called for the rapid conclusion of negotiations on the free trade agreement between ETFA (the European free trade group formed by Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Vietnam. This has been in preparation since 2012.
“Having concluded free trade agreements with the EU and the United Kingdom, an agreement with EFTA would be an opportunity for Vietnam to consolidate its trade relations in Europe,” Cassis said.
Provided market access is granted, Vietnam offers great potential for Swiss companies, according to Cassis. Around 100 Swiss companies are currently operating in Vietnam.
In total, Switzerland has provided funding of CHF 600 million to Vietnam over the past 30 years and continues to support development programs there.
