The Swiss-Viet Economic Forum (SVEF) 2026, taking place on June 9-10 at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, has served as a vital platform for both sides to discuss solutions for a deeper and more comprehensive partnership.
With total Swiss investment in Vietnam reaching $2.4 billion and bilateral trade turnover surpassing the $1 billion mark in 2025, Switzerland is currently a key partner for Vietnam in Europe.
However, these figures have yet to fully reflect the true potential of both sides. Consequently, both parties are working to accelerate negotiations for the EFTA-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA) to unlock opportunities for investment and business in modern sectors such as green transition, digital transformation, renewable energy, and smart infrastructure.
The VEFTA is an ongoing negotiation between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which comprises four countries: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The agreement aims to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers while expanding trade and investment markets between the two regions.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), confirmed that negotiations are in their final stages. Vietnam has been invited to the EFTA Ministerial Meeting in Iceland as a special guest, with the expectation that the conclusion of the agreement will be announced at that event.
Moving beyond macro-level commitments, SVEF 2026 delved into practical solutions through six strategic discussion sessions, covering everything from trade and finance to technology and education.
In the fields of finance and technology, the high-level policy dialogue and morning sessions focused on the development of financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The participation of representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Swiss financial institutions opened new pathways for cross-border capital flows and fintech innovation. Notably, Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance and digital trust certification were the centerpieces of a discussion featuring Google, UBS, Oracle, and the University of Zurich.
Education and high-quality human resource development also received significant attention. Professor Dr. Harald Gall from the University of Zurich announced a newly signed cooperation agreement with the Banking Academy of Vietnam, emphasizing that responsible AI development will be the focus of their joint research program.
Other sessions focused on industrial transformation, energy security, and the development of innovation ecosystems, highlighting the necessity of preparing a workforce ready for Industry 4.0.
SVEF 2026 was co-organized by the Vietnam-Switzerland Economic Forum (SVEF) and the Embassy of Vietnam in Switzerland, with the University of Zurich serving as the co-host. The next forum is scheduled to take place in Hanoi in October 2026.
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