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Mexico-Switzerland relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Mexico and Switzerland. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
Contents
History
Mexico and Switzerland established official relations in 1827. That same year, Switzerland opened a diplomatic office in Mexico City. In 1832, both nations signed a treaty of Friendship and Commerce and Mexico opened a diplomatic office in Basel. In 1945, both nations officially established diplomatic relations and in 1946, Mexico opened a diplomatic office in Bern. In 1958, both nations elevated their diplomatic missions to embassies.
Switzerland maintains a high-level international profile due to it hosting several UN agencies and other international organizations in Geneva. Each year, the World Economic Forum is held in Davos and high-level Mexican officials, including the Mexican President; travel to Switzerland to meet with Swiss politicians and business persons.
In 2011, more than 5,000 Swiss citizens resided in Mexico. There are also Swiss schools in Cuernavaca, Mexico City and Querétaro.
State visits
Swiss Federal Council visits to Mexico
Presidential visits from Mexico to Switzerland
Trade relations
In 2001, Mexico signed a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. In 2014, two-way trade between Mexico and Switzerland amounted to $3.3 billion USD. Switzerland is Mexico's sixteenth biggest trading partner while Mexico is Switzerland's twelfth biggest trading partner globally. Switzerland is the sixth biggest foreign direct investor in Mexico. Between 2000-2009, Swiss companies invested more than $7,683 billion USD in Mexico. Several Swiss multi-national companies are based and operate in Mexico, such as Credit Suisse, Holcim, Nestlé, Novartis and UBS. More than 45,000 people in Mexico are employed by Swiss companies.