Strengthening economic ties is focus of talks by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Nepal and Bhutan

The visit to Nepal by Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA – the first by a Federal Councillor since 1997 – took place at an important time for the country. Nepal is about to graduate from the ‘least developed countries (LDC)’ category. Switzerland has been supporting this process for over 60 years as part of its international cooperation work – allocating around CHF 24 million in 2025. Among other things, these funds are used to finance projects in the field of apprenticeship training. Federal Councillor Cassis took the opportunity to visit an organisation that trains apprentices with Swiss support. He spoke with young Nepalese people about their future prospects.

On 7 July, Mr Cassis met Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and Minister of Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak for official talks in Kathmandu. The discussions centred on ways in which economic ties between the two countries can be strengthened. Mr Cassis highlighted the importance of deepening economic relations with Nepal as an emerging market with a population of over 31 million.

The talks also touched on global challenges such as climate change, the impact of which is increasingly being felt in the mountainous regions of both Switzerland and Nepal.

Mr Cassis also discussed the economic prospects for Swiss enterprises in Nepal and the framework conditions needed for investors at an informal dinner with representatives of the Swiss Nepal Chamber of Commerce.

From aid to trade with Bhutan

Mr Cassis visited the Kingdom of Bhutan on 8 and 9 July. The visit took place to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Bhutan.

During his stay, the head of the FDFA met Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, for an informal breakfast at his residence and Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade. He also met with His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan, in the capital Thimphu. The discussions focused on regional cooperation on sustainability and strengthening economic ties. Mr Cassis also opened a photo exhibition, with his Bhutanese counterpart, paying tribute to four decades of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Bhutan.

Switzerland established official relations with Bhutan in 1985. Since then, it has invested over CHF 200 million in development initiatives and projects in the fields of agriculture and forestry, education, infrastructure, and health. Since the Kingdom of Bhutan graduated from the UN's ‘least developed countries’ category in 2023, Swiss relations with Bhutan have moved from ‘aid to trade’. This transition is paving the way for a new economic partnership aimed at making Bhutan a dynamic business location.

On 9 July Mr Cassis travels to Malaysia, where he is attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Links

• Asia G20 Strategy 2025–28
• South East Asia Strategy 2023–26

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 kommunikation@eda.admin.ch