About Us
About the Economic & Trade Mission of Israel in Geneva, Switzerland
Israel’s Economic and Trade Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, is a branch of the Foreign Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economy and Industry. The Trade Mission in Geneva has two main responsibilities: (1) World Trade Organization (WTO) affairs, and (2) trade & investment promotion (Switzerland-Israel).
- Representation of Israel at the WTO.
The WTO is a multilateral intergovernmental organization that operates the pre-eminent global system of international trade rules. It serves as a forum for negotiating trade agreements between member states, undertakes the proper implementation of the agreements and settles trade disputes between its members. WTO Agreements cover rules that relate to trade in goods, trade in services, trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, as well as other disciplines such as Government Procurement, etc.
The Economic and Trade Mission of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva represents Israel in all WTO councils, committees and bodies.
- Trade and export promotion, investments and technological collaboration between Swiss and Israeli companies.
The Israel Economic and Trade Mission promotes business collaboration across a variety of sectors, including: Information Technology, Green Energy, Agriculture and Water Technology, Homeland Security, Cyber Security, Life Sciences, Automotive, Consumer Goods, Food and Cosmetics, Finance and Investments.
The Mission facilitates introductions between Swiss and Israeli companies, arranges meetings, organizes local conferences and assists Swiss and Israeli business delegations visiting the respective country, amongst other activities.
About the Head of the Economic and Trade Mission to Switzerland
Shir Slutzky was appointed as Minister- Counselor (commercial Affairs) and Deputy Permanent Representative of Israel to the WTO, in Geneva, Switzerland in August 2022. Prior to her current assignment, Ms. Slutzky served as Director of International Economic Organizations at the Foreign Trade Administration in the Ministry of Economy and Industry. Stationed in Warsaw from 2016 to 2019, she served as Israel’s Head of the Economic and Trade Mission to Poland. Prior to this position, Ms. Slutzky served at the Europe Department of the Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy and Industry, at the Ministry of Justice and at the Knesset – the Israeli Parliament.
Ms. Slutzky is a lawyer and holds a Master of Science degree in Public Policy and a Bachelors of law degree (LL.B), both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ms. Slutzky is also a graduate of the leadership program by the State of Israel – Cadets of Civil Service. Ms. Slutzky is married and has three children.
Officers in the Economic and Trade Mission:
– Mr. Rodolfo Rivas – Senior Counsellor, WTO Affairs
– Ms. Marijke Smit – Senior Counsellor, WTO Affairs
– Mr. Martin Luidji – Director of Business Development (Switzerland-Israel)
– Ms. Tiffany Smith – Trade Officer, WTO Affairs; Director of Business Development
About the Foreign Trade Administration at the Ministry of Economy
The Israeli Foreign Trade Administration at the Ministry of Economy, is responsible for managing and directing the international trade policy of the State of Israel. The main fields of activity include promoting trade and export, initiating and maintaining trade agreements for the improvement of Israel’s trade conditions, attracting and encouraging foreign investments and creating strategic cooperation with foreign companies. Together with the activity in Israel, the Administration operates a network of economic representatives who constitute the operational arm of the Ministry in markets around the world.
Objectives:
- Assist the Israeli industry in deepening activity in existing markets and penetrating new markets
- Accompany and support the individual exporter in marketing activity abroad
- Initiate and apply international trade agreements and maintain existing agreements
- Raise investments and strategic cooperation
- Improve the image of the Israeli industry and economy
- Prevent unfair competition
