NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas and Switzerland are seeking to enhance diplomatic ties in the financial services sector, an area in which both countries are leaders in their respective regions.
Bahamas, Switzerland Enhance Financial Services Relations
His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General, made the statement as he accepted Letters of Credence from His Excellency Ulrich Lehner Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
The Presentation of Letters was held during a ceremony at Government House on Thursday, March 29, 2012.
The Bahamas and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in 1974, and have shared interests in international financial services and tourism.
“International agreements to safeguard the environment and to foster international stability are honoured by both our countries,” Sir Arthur said.
He noted that The Bahamas also values Switzerland as a partner which plays a significant role in forums whose decision affect this country such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Global Forum on Migration and Development and the Council of Europe.
“There are valuable lessons to be learned and, we hope, technical assistance from Switzerland’s mastery of knowledge-based industries and technology. In the financial services sector, collaboration has been constant and cordial,” Sir Arthur said.
Switzerland is the fourth largest import trading partner of The Bahamas, as of December 31, 2010 and its largest European trading partner.
His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General, left, accepts Letters of Credence from His Excellency Ulrich Lehner, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, during a ceremony at Government House on Thursday, March 29, 2012. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith) The Bahamas has maintained relations with the Swiss regulators, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), where The Bahamas subscribes to and promotes the need for a sound banking and regulatory environment as set for in the Basel Core Principles for effective banking supervision. The Bahamas also hosts offices for Switzerland’s two largest banks: UBS AG and Credit Suisse.
Ambassador Lehner pledged to continue to promote such cordial relations between both countries.
Ambassador Lehner, 58, has served in various diplomatic posts in France, Rome, Monaco and Ottawa, Canada (presently). He started his career in the Foreign Service in 1979. He was born on March 4, 1954 in Sion, Switzerland. He is married to Federica Lehner Timbal and is the father of two children.
BY LINDSAY THOMPSON
BAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES
Posted in Politics
Related Posts
