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EFTA

While often overlooked, the European Free Trade Association — composed of Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — actively seeks comprehensive bilateral FTAs much like its rivals the EU, the US, Japan, Canada or Australia. EFTA’s outward push towards FTAs is led and dominated by corporate powerhouse Switzerland, home to some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical, agricultural biotechnology, banking and insurance companies.

EFTA has established important bilateral FTAs with Chile (2003), Israel (1992), Jordan (2001), Korea (2005), Lebanon (2004), Mexico (2000), Morocco (1997), the Palestinian Authority (1998), Turkey (1991), Singapore (2002), Tunisia (2004), the Southern Africa Customs Union (2006), Egypt (2007), Canada (2007), the GCC (2008), Colombia (2008) and Peru (2008).

The group is currently negotiating FTAs with India, Indonesia, Thailand, Algeria and Pakistan. It is expected to launch talks shortly with Malaysia and Vietnam, while similar deals with Russia and Ukraine are planned for later.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Campax


EFTA concludes free trade agreement with Ecuador
The EFTA states would like to abolish all industrial tariffs in trade with Ecuador, facilitate trade in services, and secure investments. These are all provided for in the free trade agreement, which has now been signed in Iceland.
Expanded free-trade agreement with Turkey attracts criticism
Eleven Swiss groups have called on parliament to refrain from ratifying a revised free-trade agreement with Turkey. They cited the country’s current political climate and human rights situation.
Revised Turkey-EFTA FTA to shed light on customs union with EU
Turkey and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will sign a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at EFTA Trade Ministers Conference.
Swiss farmers dig in against South American trade deal
The Swiss Farmers’ Union, on the other hand, has made its position very clear: it is against a free-trade deal.
Ecuador signs free trade agreement with EFTA, launches new tuna brand
The agreement will allow export of shrimp and tuna products to EFTA countries with a zero export tariff.
Economics minister in Brazil to boost trade talks
Swiss economics minister Johann Schneider-Ammann has arrived in Brazil on a six-day visit to the region aimed at boosting talks on a free trade agreement with the South American economic area Mercosur.
Government urged to halt trade talks with Turkey
Fifteen Swiss organisations have called on the Federal Council to suspend negotiations on expanding its free trade agreements with Turkey until the country releases all its political prisoners.
Free trade deal between Georgia and 4 European countries comes into play in May
Georgia and EFTA states - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – signed the free trade agreement in June 2016.
Senate approves PH deal with European Free Trade Association states
Voting 19-0, the Senate on Monday, March 5, concurred in the ratification of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states, composed of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Switzerland ratifies EFTA-Georgia free trade deal
The new Georgia-Swiss trade relations will come into effect on May 1st 2018.

    Links


  • EFTA FTAs
    Database of all FTAs entered into by the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.)
  • EFTA Secretariat
    Website of the EFTA Secretariat