Swiss voters will weigh in on controversial issues such as the 'burka ban', an electronic identification law, and a free trade agreement with Indonesia.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to carry on post-Brexit trade talks after a call between leaders on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump has told Switzerland that the time has come for a Swiss-US free trade agreement, however the US leader was less willing to make a commitment on other Swiss priorities like climate change.
Switzerland's economy minister said on Sunday he wants to have "background" talks with Britain so that a trade deal can be in place as soon as the UK leaves the European Union.
US President-elect Donald Trump will talk with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann on the phone in the coming days, the latter told Swiss broadcaster RTS on Saturday.
The head of the World Trade Organization said on Thursday he had received no indication the United States would move to leave the WTO under Donald Trump's administration.
The head of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization said on Wednesday he stood ready to work with Donald Trump's administration following a US election campaign that saw the former reality TV star rail against global trade.
Switzerland’s exports hit a record in 2014, expanding by 3.5 percent from the previous year to reach 208 billion francs ($225 billion), according to government figures released on Tuesday.
Switzerland has one-upped its European Union neighbours with a free trade deal with China that its politicians and business sector say is crucial to boosting ties with the world's second-largest economy.
Roberto Azevedo of Brazil was named as the new head of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization on Wednesday, vowing to battle economic protectionism and break the deadlock in talks aimed at liberalizing global commerce.
The World Trade Organisation is close to chosing its next leader in a final round pitting Brazil against Mexico, with the winner facing the tough task of restoring the clout of global commerce's rule-setting body.
The European Union is unhappy with Switzerland's practice of negotiating sector-by-sector accords, a policy which the EU says has reached its limits and should be reviewed.
Swiss output fell 0.1 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous three months as the strong Swiss franc hurt exports, the economy ministry said Tuesday.
Switzerland is set to end the year with healthier finances than expected and a surplus of 1.5 billion francs ($1.5 billion), the government said on Wednesday.
<p>Fitch Ratings on Thursday held steady Switzerland's top AAA rating, citing its resilient economy and well-managed public finances, and kept the outlook at stable.</p>
<p>Hong Kong, the United States and <span class="il">Switzerland</span> have the most competitive economies in the world, according to a ranking compiled by the Swiss-based business school IMD.</p>
<p>German automaker BMW said on Thursday it would appeal a Swiss fine of 156 million francs ($163 million) imposed after competition authorities said the company prevented the Swiss from buying its cars abroad.</p>
<p>Switzerland's trade surplus reached 2.7 billion francs ($3.0 billion) in February, up from the 1.6<br />billion francs in January, with the watch industry leading export growth.</p>
<p>The Swiss government on Thursday revised its 2012 growth forecast slightly higher to 0.8 percent, while pointing to signs of improvement in the eurozone debt crisis.</p>
<p>The Swiss economy grew by 1.9 percent last year after expanding by 2.7 percent in 2010, preliminary data from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs showed on Thursday.</p>
<p>Switzerland's trade performance was muted in 2011 as the strong Swiss franc and gloomy global economic outlook took their toll, official figures showed on Thursday.</p>
<p>Consumer prices in <span class="il">Switzerland</span> increased by an average of 0.2 percent last year, down from an increase of 0.7 percent in 2010, data from the official statistics agency said on Friday.</p>
