techUK news and views
25 May 2023

UK-Switzerland FTA negotiations represent an opportunity for digital trade and services

The Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the UK and Switzerland represent significant opportunities for services companies in both countries

The Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the UK and Switzerland represent significant opportunities for services companies in both countries. With Switzerland being the UK's 10th largest trade partner, the new deal aims to strengthen the trading relationship between the two services superpowers.

Currently, the existing bilateral FTA, which is based on an existing EU-Switzerland deal from over 50 years ago, does not cover services, investment, digital, or data. As the majority of the UK's services exports to Switzerland are delivered electronically, there is an interest in rectifying this in the upcoming negotiations. In these negotiations, the UK government will focus on removing market access barriers, improving regulatory cooperation, and creating a level playing field for UK firms in Switzerland.

The agreement also holds significance for the financial sector, as both the UK and Switzerland are major financial centres in Europe. Strengthening the services trade relationship between the two countries will tackle key issues such as mobility, data flows, and digital trade.

Additionally, the FTA aims to boost investment between the UK and Switzerland. Switzerland is a key investment partner for the UK, and the agreement seeks to facilitate more Swiss investment in UK communities while providing preferential terms for UK investors in Switzerland.

Overall, the UK-Switzerland FTA is expected to bolster the reputation of the UK as a services superpower, enhance trade opportunities, and encourage collaboration in emerging technologies, data innovation, and digital trade.

If members have any questions, please reach out to the techUK International Trade team via [email protected].

Oliver Alderson

Oliver Alderson

Policy and Public Affairs - Team Assistant, techUK

Oliver is the team assistant for the Policy and Public Affairs teams, joining techUK in November of 2023. He assists the teams admistrative support, communication, and event production.

Prior to working at techUK, Oliver studied at Swansea and Bristol universities, attaining a masters in Policy Research. During this time he competed in debating competitions around the country where he discussed and deliberated various policy issues. Between his studies Oliver acted as a student assistant in mental health research for the SMaRteN student network.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07505 890 596
LinkedIn:
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/oliver-alderson-a51312180

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Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK

Dan joined techUK as a Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade in March 2023.

Before techUK, Dan worked for data and consulting company GlobalData as an analyst of tech and geopolitics. He has also worked in public affairs, political polling, and has written freelance for the New Statesman and Investment Monitor.

Dan has a degree in MSc International Public Policy from University College London, and a BA Geography degree from the University of Sussex.

Outside of work, Dan is a big fan of football, cooking, going to see live music, and reading about international affairs. 

Email:
[email protected]

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Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.

Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.

As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.

Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.

Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.

She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.

Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
+32 473 323 280
Website:
www.techuk.org

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