Economic relations

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Bilateral Agreements

The Free Trade Agreement between Israel and EFTA – (entry into force in 1993)
Convention between the Swiss Confederation and the State of Israel for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and on capital (entry into force 2003)
A letter of intent on the promotion of scientific cooperation between Israel and Switzerland (signed in 2005)
Modernization of the Free Trade Agreement in the field of agriculture (entry into force in 2021)
Air Service Agreement (entry into force in 2021, replacing the 1952 Agreement)
Automatic exchange of information on financial accounts (entry in force in 2019)

Investments

Swiss investments in Israel exceed 1 billion CHF per year. Since 1990, Swiss companies have made significant investments in Israel, including in the food sector, in pharmaceuticals, machinery, infrastructure & industry, financial services and insurances. In recent years, interest in the Israeli innovation and technology industry has grown. Several Swiss companies are active in the Israeli ecosystem to identify innovative technologies and/or business models, including through local scouting, opening an R&D center, or collaborating with a local venture capital actor.

Swiss Economic Promotion in Israel

To promote Switzerland’s economic interests, the Embassy builds and maintains networks among pertinent stakeholders, offers advice and consultation, and accompanies Swiss actors interested in business opportunities in Israel or cooperation with Israeli institutions and enterprises. Among these activities, the Embassy applies specific focus on the innovation portfolio and synergies between the Swiss and Israeli start-up ecosystems. In 2018, a Science and Innovation Office (SIO) was opened within the Embassy that has been connecting numerous Swiss public and private actors, from academic institutions to multinational companies with Israeli counterparts. In 2021, the SIO launched its ongoing flagship program “Lean Launchpad” to train, mentor, and introduce Swiss start-ups to the Israeli ecosystem.

Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE