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Liechtenstein is committed to engage to further strengthen the multilateral system. Thus Liechtenstein has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in September 2015. Furthermore, in May 2013 Liechtenstein was the first to ratify the revised Government Procurement Agreement that was adopted on March 2012. Liechtenstein also welcomes the ITA expansion and the launch of negotiations on an Environmental Goods Agreement in 2014. Switzerland is representing Liechtenstein in both initiatives by virtue of the Customs Union Treaty.

The Customs Union Treaty facilitated the bilateral cooperation far beyond its original scope of application, in particular in the areas of social welfare (health, social security), education (vocational and professional training), transport and environment. The entry into force of the revised EFTA Convention on 1 June 2002 has led to an additional integration step in the economic relations between Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Despite the difference in their integration policy towards the EU, both countries not only manged to maintain but foster the already existing close links.

Switzerland remains among the top destinations for foreign direct investment. Most economic sectors are open to investment, including by foreigners. However, investment restrictions continue to apply to activities under state monopoly, including certain rail transport services, some postal services, and certain insurance services. Restrictions (domicile requirements) are also applied to air and maritime transport, hydro- and nuclear power, oil and gas pipelines, and transport of explosive materials.

Switzerland and Liechtenstein apply a number of prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports, mainly for reasons of security, health, protection of intellectual property, and protection of the environment, or to ensure compliance with international obligations. (...)

There have been no new developments regarding taxes affecting imports. Switzerland and Liechtenstein apply certain indirect taxes that are also levied on imports, notably value added tax (VAT), but also a motor vehicle tax, a consumption tax on mineral oils and fuels, a CO2 tax on fossil fuels, an incentive fee on volatile organic compounds, and taxes on tobacco and alcoholic beverages (beer and spirits). Switzerland administers about 300 federal support programmes (amounting to more than SwF 37 billion in 2015), principally for social security purposes, education, research, transportation, and agriculture. Schemes notified to the WTO's Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures cover support for regional development, SMEs operating in arts and crafts, CO2 refunds, and forestry. Liechtenstein does not provide internal assistance to its industries, except agriculture. Through the EEA Agreement, uniform and common rules govern competition, including the provision of (non-agriculture) state aid.

Regarding developments in the energy sector, the Swiss Parliament adopted new legislation in 2016 (albeit subject to a referendum) that is based on the "Energy 2050 Strategy" and entails, amongst other things, a shift towards increased support for renewable energy (including hydropower) along with the progressive closure of nuclear power plants. Production and distribution of electricity and gas is largely ensured by Swiss public utilities at the cantonal and municipal levels but the sector is open to foreign investment. The full liberalization of the electricity market has been suspended, pending negotiations with the EU on an electricity agreement. Liechtenstein has transposed the first two EU energy packages and is in the process of transposing the third. The electricity and gas markets have been liberalized (except ownership unbundling for electricity).

In June 2016, the Government presented its "New Growth Policy 2016-2019" which consists of a package of 14 new productivity-enhancing measures. [18] While the focus of the reform package lies in enhancing productivity, some of the reforms aim to strengthen the resilience of the economy (e.g. enhanced "too-big-to-fail" regulation) and reduce negative externalities of economic growth (e.g. climate and energy policy). The Government considers that without further reforms Switzerland risks moving further towards a dual economy – with a competitive export sector, on the one hand, and an expensive domestic sector with low competition intensity, on the other hand.

[18] The measures are: (...) (xi) energy strategy 2050; (xii) climate change regulation after 2020; (xiii) better regulation of the housing market; and (xiv) more efficient use of the transport infrastructure.

The share of Switzerland's imports and exports subject to most favoured nation treatment is low (less than 20%) due to the dominance (albeit declining) of the EU in Swiss foreign trade, but also as a consequence of Switzerland's comprehensive network of FTAs with non-EU partners. Most of these agreements have been concluded within the framework of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), supplemented by important bilateral FTAs with Japan and China. Switzerland views the expansion of its FTA network to additional emerging markets positively, but recognizes that diverging economic interests complicate such negotiations. [13]

[13] For example, while Switzerland would like new FTAs to facilitate exports of industrial goods and certain services (e.g. financial services and logistical services), strengthen the protection of intellectual property, liberalize government procurement, and focus on sustainable development (e.g. environmental and labour standards), some of its prospective partners would like to focus on significantly improved market access for agricultural exports or the provision of services through expanded movement of labour.

Switzerland's Government is committed to implementing a foreign trade policy that facilitates sustainable economic growth in Switzerland as well as among its partners. Although the traditional aim is to improve market access for Swiss enterprises worldwide and to protect their investments abroad, the broader target is to create a win-win situation for all that includes the consideration of non-economic factors such as ecological and social aspects. Within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, approved at the UN Summit on 25 September 2015, Switzerland is working with its development partners, including international organizations, to support the Agenda's development goals and detailed targets.

In the Doha Development Agenda negotiations, Switzerland has been participating in the Friends of Ambition (NAMA), Friends of A-D Negotiations (FANs), and the "Really Good Friends" (services) groups. Switzerland is the coordinator of the G10 and the group of W52 Sponsors. [17] Liechtenstein is also a participant in these two groups. Switzerland, negotiating also on behalf of Liechtenstein, is participating in the negotiations to conclude an Environmental Goods Agreement and, outside of the WTO agenda; the two countries are both participating in the negotiations to achieve a plurilateral Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA).

[17] WTO Members (109) supporting a proposal for "modalities" covering the TRIPS issues in negotiations in the Doha Round, i.e. the extension of the higher level of protection for geographical indications beyond wines and spirits, the establishment of a corresponding multilateral register, and the introduction of a mandatory disclosure requirement on patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in the inventions (WTO document TN/C/W/52/Add.3, 29 July 2008).