In the seven months since the free trade agreement (FTA) between Switzerland and China came into force, it has greatly helped to accelerate business collaboration between the two countries. The agreement calls for zero tariffs on 99.7% of Chinese exports to Switzerland, and 84.2% of Swiss goods sent to China. “The high public awareness created in Switzerland by the agreement has led to more visibility for business opportunities for Swiss companies in China,” said Alain Graf, Director of Swiss Business Hub in China, a government organization charged with the promotion of exports and investments in China. Switzerland is the second European state and the third member of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to sign a free trade agreement with China. Iceland signed a deal in 2013; New Zealand signed one six years earlier. Sonja Wollkopf Walt, CEO of Greater Zurich Area, said the free trade agreement also goes far beyond dismantling tariffs by fostering collaboration in fields including science, technology, research, education and culture. The value of Swiss machinery exported to China rose 9.1% in the first 10 months, to CHF2.3 billion. Overall exports from Swiss companies to China rose 11.2% to CHF7.5 billion in the same period, and imports from China to Switzerland rose 7.7% to CHF10 billion, the China Daily reports.