bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo
  1. Negotiations

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

Egypt, EFTA to sign free trade agreement Saturday
24-Jan-2007     People's Daily
A free trade agreement is scheduled to be signed between Egypt and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on Saturday in Davos.
Egypt, European trade group agree on free trade zone
3-Nov-2006     People's Daily
Egypt and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have agreed to establish a free trade zone between the two sides, Egypt's news agency MENA reported on Wednesday.
«EFTA FTAs may have serious consequences on Thailand and Indonesia» tell civil society representatives to EFTA governments
27-Sep-2006    
Lobby travel from Indonesian and Thai civil society in EFTA countries (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Oslo)
Swiss minister promises a favour
23-Jul-2006     The Star
Switzerland's Economics Minister, Joseph Deiss, led a business delegation comprised of senior officials from Novartis, Credit Suisse, SACC and Economy Swiss, to Malaysia.
EFTA to pursue FTA with Malaysia
15-Jul-2006     Bernama
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, intends to pursue a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia and will decide on it by year-end.
First EFTA free trade agreement in sub-Saharan Africa
11-Jul-2006     EFTA Secretariat
The Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA, comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU, comprising Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland) signed a free trade agreement on 1 July 2006.
EFTA free trade relations
7-Jul-2006     EFTA Secretariat
An overview report on EFTA's free trade agreements with non-EU countries.
NGOs take aim at free-trade accords
11-Jun-2006     swissinfo
Developing countries risk losing out under agreements struck with Switzerland and its European Free Trade Association (Efta) partners, say campaigners.
Signature of an investment protection agreement and a Declaration on Cooperation with Colombia
19-May-2006     Federal Administration
Switzerland and Colombia signed two agreements in Bern on 17 May 2006. The first was an agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments between Switzerland and Colombia. The second was a Declaration on Cooperation between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Colombia.
Swiss set course to free trade
14-Mar-2006     swissinfo
Parliament is due to discuss a free-trade accord between Switzerland and South Korea - the latest such deal aimed at liberalising economic ties abroad.

Referenced sites

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