New Zealand and Switzerland agree trade discussions

New Zealand and Switzerland have today agreed to establish a Trade and Investment Dialogue to explore an agreement on trade, economic security, e-commerce, investment and sustainability, says Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.

The announcement was made following a meeting between Minister McClay and Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda, in the margins of the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership Ministerial Meeting in Auckland. 

“Switzerland is an important partner for New Zealand and one of the world's most innovative and advanced economies,” Mr McClay says. “Establishing a Trade and Investment Dialogue will lead to closer economic cooperation and enhanced collaboration, through bilateral trade and international forums like the World Trade Organization, the OECD and the FIT Partnership.

“At a time of growing global economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever that like-minded countries work together to strengthen trade and investment.”

Two-way trade between New Zealand and Switzerland was worth NZ$1.88 billion in the year ending December 2025. New Zealand exports to Switzerland were NZ$429 million, comprising NZ$100 million in goods and NZ$324 million in services. Key exports included travel services, meat and edible offal, and hides and skins.

New Zealand imports from Switzerland were NZ$1.45 billion, comprising NZ$624 million in goods and NZ$825 million in services. Key imports included transportation services, pharmaceuticals, clocks and watches, insurance and pension services, and charges for the use of intellectual property.

Officials will hold their first meeting in September. ...