Switzerland has one of the best, most secure and most competitive financial centres in the world thanks to its excellent framework conditions. In order for this to be perceived in the global market, the FDF strives to communicate about the Swiss financial centre, provide information, coordinate the activities of those involved and open doors for the sector with regard to international business. The activities that come under the heading "focus on the financial centre" serve a financial market policy that emphasises the strengths of the Swiss financial centre and actively safeguards Switzerland's interests. To ensure the broadest feasible support, all of the sector's players active in foreign business are included insofar as possible.
From 3 to 6 July 2021, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer visited Egypt and Qatar, accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking representatives of the Swiss financial centre.
G20 Saudi Arabia 2020
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer attended the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting under the Saudi G20 presidency in Riyadh on 22 and 23 February 2020.
2019 trip to the Gulf region
President Ueli Maurer will travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia from 26 to 29 October 2019, accompanied by a delegation of finance representatives. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have long been Switzerland's most important economic and trading partners in the Gulf region.
President Ueli Maurer, accompanied by Swiss National Bank Chairman, Thomas Jordan, took part in the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Fukuoka, Japan, on 8 and 9 June 2019. On 10 June, he met Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, in Tokyo.
2019 trip to Asia
President Ueli Maurer will pay a visit to China from 22 to 30 April accompanied by a finance and business delegation. Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited Mr Maurer for a state visit on 28 and 29 April.
2018 trip to Israel
The Head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Ueli Maurer, and the Minister of Finance of the State of Israel, Mr Moshe Kahlon, met on 16 September 2018 in Jerusalem to discuss various financial and fiscal issues of common interest. Furthermore, Federal Councillor Maurer payed a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Their meeting was preceded by the second Swiss-Israel Financial Dialogue, where both sides identified areas of joint interest and fostered a commitment for further collaboration across a number of issues, including market access and fintech.
2018 South America trip
From 18 to 20 July 2018, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer made a working visit to Brazil and Argentina. He was accompanied by the State Secretary for International Financial Matters Jörg Gasser and representatives of the Swiss financial and fintech sectors. In Buenos Aires, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, Thomas Jordan, also took part in the meetings.
2018 trip to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
From 17 to 20 February 2018, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer together with the Swiss financial sector paid a working visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
2017 Central Asia Trip
From 8 to 12 July 2017, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer together with Jörg Gasser, the State Secretary for International Financial Matters, visited three countries in Central Asia. The trip took place in the context of the 25th anniversary of the existence of the Swiss constituency in the Bretton Woods institutions.
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer's trip to Asia with financial centre representatives ended in Hong Kong on 19 April. In more than 30 discussions, the opportunity was taken to seek talks with authorities and financial centre institutions and explore shared interests.
Meeting of G20 finance ministers in Baden-Baden
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer took part in the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors under the German G20 presidency on 17 and 18 March 2017. He was accompanied by Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan.
