<p>Kolkata: Switzerland's Ambassador to India, Ralf Heckner, has expressed optimism that the crucial European Free Trade Association (EFTA) deal with the country would be wrapped up before the 2024 general elections.</p>.<p>Heckner stressed on the importance of the proposed trade deal for unlocking innovation and investment opportunities.</p>.<p>"Both sides have been negotiating very closely and seriously over the last more than 12 months. I remain positive that the deal would be wrapped up before the (2024) elections," he told <em>PTI.</em></p>.<p>The envoy was recently in the city to unveil the Kolkata chapter of the Swiss-India Chamber of Commerce.</p>.Switzerland's Zurich Insurance to buy 51% stake in Kotak Gen Insurance for Rs 4,051 crore.<p>Parliamentary elections in India are due in early 2024.</p>.<p>"If India wants innovation, it needs to work with about 12 to 15 countries, and one of those countries is Switzerland for a world of investments and innovation,"</p><p> “We will have a more strategic innovation relationship with India,” Heckner stated.</p>.<p>Noting the sharp rise in visa application processing numbers, which hit a record 2 lakh in 2023 compared to pre-Covid levels of 1.6-1.7 lakh, he said this trend would lead to enhanced trade and cultural ties between India and Switzerland in the years ahead.</p>.<p>The EFTA-India merchandise trade exceeded USD 6.1 billion in 2022.</p>.<p>The EFTA members include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. </p>
<p>Kolkata: Switzerland's Ambassador to India, Ralf Heckner, has expressed optimism that the crucial European Free Trade Association (EFTA) deal with the country would be wrapped up before the 2024 general elections.</p>.<p>Heckner stressed on the importance of the proposed trade deal for unlocking innovation and investment opportunities.</p>.<p>"Both sides have been negotiating very closely and seriously over the last more than 12 months. I remain positive that the deal would be wrapped up before the (2024) elections," he told <em>PTI.</em></p>.<p>The envoy was recently in the city to unveil the Kolkata chapter of the Swiss-India Chamber of Commerce.</p>.Switzerland's Zurich Insurance to buy 51% stake in Kotak Gen Insurance for Rs 4,051 crore.<p>Parliamentary elections in India are due in early 2024.</p>.<p>"If India wants innovation, it needs to work with about 12 to 15 countries, and one of those countries is Switzerland for a world of investments and innovation,"</p><p> “We will have a more strategic innovation relationship with India,” Heckner stated.</p>.<p>Noting the sharp rise in visa application processing numbers, which hit a record 2 lakh in 2023 compared to pre-Covid levels of 1.6-1.7 lakh, he said this trend would lead to enhanced trade and cultural ties between India and Switzerland in the years ahead.</p>.<p>The EFTA-India merchandise trade exceeded USD 6.1 billion in 2022.</p>.<p>The EFTA members include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. </p>