EFTA’s horizontal work extends beyond the regular management of existing free trade agreements (FTAs) and the negotiation of new or modernised ones.
It encompasses the monitoring of the implementation and operation of commitments on trade and sustainable development and the analysis of the utilisation of tariff preferences, which aims to provide information on the effective use of EFTA FTAs.
The EFTA States are further seeking to enhance the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from the opportunities arising from FTAs. They are accomplishing this through the introduction of dedicated provisions in their agreements and the creation of modern tools such as the SME Information Hub, a single window of information for SMEs interested in finding out more about the EFTA markets.
Discover more about the SME Information Hub.
EFTA is also addressing other cross-cutting issues through the development of suitable practices for its FTAs, including in areas such as electronic commerce.
Find out more about EFTA’s broader approach to the digital economy in this dedicated entry in the Geneva Digital Atlas.
