July 2023 Luncheon: “Challenges and Outlook for the Swiss Trade Policy”

+ Thank you to those who attended the luncheon!
Have a look at our article to find out what was discussed!

We are pleased to invite you to our July Luncheon with Ambassador Markus Schlagenhof, Delegate of the Federal Council for Trade Agreements and Head of World Trade at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, who will deliver a speech titled “Challenges and Outlook for the Swiss Trade Policy”.

SCCIJ July 2023 Luncheon Speaker: Ambassador Markus Schlagenhof, Delegate of the Federal Council for Trade Agreements and Head of World Trade at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

Over the past few decades, Switzerland has benefited enormously from the convergence of the world’s economies. Swiss imports and exports have grown steadily. Switzerland has been able to increase its prosperity and improve its standard of living.
Today, however, the trading system that has developed over the decades is being called into question. The growth paradigm itself is being called into question. Globalization’s critics are calling for another model. Keywords such as “strategic goods”, “relocation of production” and “industrial policy” are appearing in public discourse. The end of globalization and the emergence of regional blocs are predicted. Key players no longer always respect the fundamental principles of the international trading system.
What does this mean for the Swiss trade policy? And what can Switzerland do to protect itself as far as possible against possible negative developments? Ambassador Schlagenhof will be addressing these questions for the SCCIJ on the occasion of his visit to Tokyo for a meeting of the Joint Committee under the Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership (FTEPA) between Switzerland and Japan.

Date & Time:	Thursday, July 20, 2023 12:00-14:00 (D.O.: 11:45)
Venue:	Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon (MAP) Meeting Studios I-III, 2F (The entrance to the hotel is shown here)
Entry Fee:	Members: JPY 6,500 or 1 SCCIJ Voucher 2023 Non-Members: JPY 8,000
Registration:	*Fully booked* (Deadline: July 13, 2023) Please inform us of dietary restrictions if any. No-shows/cancellations after deadline will be fully charged SCCIJ members will be prioritized.
Concept:	This event consists in a 3-course lunch followed by a presentation (and Q&A). The setting is ideal for networking. Participants are typically members of the Swiss-Japanese business community, but non-members are also welcome to join. Seats are not attributed (free seating). Dress code is business / business casual.
Disclaimer:	The SCCIJ may film and take photographs of this event. If you participate, please be noted that these pictures and videos may be used in various media, such as the SCCIJ website, SCCIJ social networking sites, and SCCIJ promotional materials. If you do not want to appear on these pictures and/or videos, kindly notify the SCCIJ staff at the event. The views expressed by the speaker(s) may not necessarily reflect those of the SCCIJ as an organization.
Inquiries:	By e-mail to info@sccij.jp

Biography of the Speaker:

Ambassador Markus Schlagenhof (*1965), lic.rer.publ. HSG, LL.M., Delegate of the Federal Council for Trade Agreements and head of the World Trade Division in the Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate since 1st September 2016. Previously, head of the WTO unit of the World Trade Division. From 2008 to 2012, head of the International Movement of Goods unit of the Special Foreign Economic Service Division, where he served as deputy head from 2006. In 2001, he was seconded to the Embassy of Switzerland in London as deputy head of the business section. From 1998 to 2001, deputy head of the Technical Barriers to Trade unit. In 1995, he joined the former Federal Office for Foreign Economic Affairs (FOFEA) and worked as an associate researcher in the WTO unit. For more details, please refer to Ambassador Schlagenhof’s full CV.