In Singapore, Mr Candinas met with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jessica Tan and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong. Discussions focused on the digital trade agreement currently being negotiated between Singapore and the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member; development of trade relations between Switzerland and Singapore; cooperation in innovation and education; security tensions in the region and the effects of climate change.
The Swiss delegation also met the management of Singapore transport company SMRT, one of the leading operators in the city-state, and visited the campus of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) and the ETH-Centre in Singapore. Extensive discussions with staff from these two institutions gave the members of the delegation an insight into the opportunities that exist in Southeast Asia for tourism and research, as well as the importance for Switzerland of having centres of expertise in Singapore. Mr Candinas and his delegation were also able to meet representatives of the Swiss community, Swiss companies and institutions in Singapore at the Swiss Club.
On the second part of his official visit to Southeast Asia, Mr Candinas travelled to Hanoi in Vietnam. There he was received by President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vương Đình Huệ, President of Vietnam Võ Văn Thưởng, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên.
During the talks with the high-ranking officials, Mr Candinas expressed Switzerland’s willingness to rapidly advance the negotiations on a progressive and ambitious free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA countries. The Vietnamese authorities also called for the two countries to work more closely together in areas such as energy transition, sustainable development, digitalisation and higher education.
As part of its 2021-24 economic development cooperation, Switzerland is investing some CHF 70 million in Vietnam. The delegation visited projects supported by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), including a distribution centre (Minh Thái Ltd Co) and a retailer (Yến Biên Mart), both benefiting from the Supply Chain Financing project, which aims to facilitate access to financing for these companies in the supply chain. The delegation also visited a large textile factory (Regent Garment Factory) which participates in the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Better Work programme. The programme helps the company to improve working conditions and social dialogue, and to provide ongoing training for male and female workers, with an emphasis on women's empowerment and gender equality. A visit to VinFast's state-of-the-art electric vehicle production facility in Hai Phong showed the delegation the strategic role of Swiss technology and innovation in Vietnam's economic boom.
Mr Candinas and his delegation also took part in various meetings organised by the Embassy of Switzerland with representatives of Swiss companies based in Vietnam, and were able to gain insight into the daily challenges faced by these companies, as well as the economic and commercial potential that Vietnam still has to offer them.
The delegation with Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore Gan Kim Yong
The delegation visiting the Parliament of Singapore with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jessica Tan
Visit to Singapore transport company SMRT
President of the National Council Martin Candinas addresses the Swiss community at the Swiss Club Singapore
Visit to the campus of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Singapore
Maja Riniker, the second vice president of the National Council, meets with students of the ETH-Centre in Singapore
President of the National Council Martin Candinas is received by President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vương Đình Huệ
Visit to a Vietnamese tradeswoman benefiting from the Supply Chain Financing programme supported by SECO
Visit to the Regent Garment Factory, which participates in the Better Work programme supported by SECO
The VinFast factory uses machines from Swiss manufacturer Bühler to produce electric vehicles
The delegation meets with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên
President of the National Council Martin Candinas is received by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh
President of the National Council Martin Candinas greeting President of Vietnam Võ Văn Thưởng after their meeting
The delegation with the staff of the Swiss Embassy in Hanoi