Bilateral relations Switzerland–Bahamas

Bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Bahamas centre on financial services and tourism. While trade is limited overall, Swiss firms consider the general conditions for doing business to be good.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

The Swiss ambassador in Ottawa is accredited to the Bahamas government. Consular matters are handled by the Swiss consulate general in Montreal. An honorary consul represents Switzerland in Nassau.

Treaty database

The Government of the Bahamas

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

Economic cooperation

The overall volume of trade is very low. In 2022, Switzerland's imports amounted to CHF 1,500,000 while its exports totalled CHF 31,6 million. Trade is mainly composed of watches, and although the volume of trade is modest, capital flows are considerable. More than 30 Swiss financial institutions are active in this Caribbean state.

Since 1 January 2019, the Bahamas has been a partner country for the automatic exchange of information in tax matters (AEOI). The exchange of information began in 2020.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Researchers who are citizens of the Bahamas can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI

Swiss nationals in the Bahamas

At the end of 2022, 389 Swiss nationals were living in the Bahamas. Many of them are employed in the financial sector.

History of bilateral relations

In 1973 the Federal Council recognised the independence of the Bahamas. It established diplomatic and consular relations in 1974.

The Nestlé food group has maintained a branch in the Bahamas since 1936, and increasing numbers of Swiss bankers and hoteliers have operated in the country since the 1950s. While there were only 2 branches of Swiss banks in the Bahamas in 1973, this number had risen to a high of 30 by 2018.

Bahamas, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)  

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Last update 20.06.2023

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