New Delhi: A new agreement between the United Kingdom and Switzerland will facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications, making it easier for UK-qualified professionals to work in Switzerland, a UK government release stated.
The pact, which replaces expired provisions within the Citizens’ Rights Agreement, ensures a streamlined and transparent process for UK-qualified professionals in regulated sectors to have their credentials recognized in Switzerland.
The agreement encompasses over 200 UK professionals, including lawyers, auditors, driving instructors, cabin crew, and, for the first time, anesthetists. This could boost UK-Swiss trade, already valued at $46 billion annually, particularly in professional and business services, which currently contribute $8 billion to the overall trade figure, the release said.
The agreement also establishes a dedicated pathway for certain legal professionals to qualify in the other country after practicing for three years. This is particularly significant because Switzerland is a major export market for UK legal services in Europe. It comes ahead of the Business Secretary’s scheduled travel to Davos to promote the UK as a top investment destination for global firms.
According to the press release, negotiations are ongoing to finalize an upgraded UK-Switzerland trade deal that will further strengthen services trade, which already generates $27 billion annually.