European Free Trade Association

• Government has ruled out any duty concessions for gold or easing of intellectual property rights regime for EFTA countries.
  • Switzerland has been demanding a lower or zero import duty regime for gold and concessions on the patent regime.
• EFTA is an intergovernmental organisation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
• It was set up in 1960 (Stockholm Convention) for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its members.

EFTA is the ninth largest trader in the world in merchandise trade and fifth largest in trade in services