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Dubai: A single visa allowing travel throughout the GCC would facilitate tourism and increase business across the region, according to a diplomat.
"I would encourage this sort of visa to be put in place without delay but, of course, it's a GCC decision," Gerhard Bruegger, Swiss consul general, told Gulf News.
"But if you look at what is happening here now, with the new ID card, it is a similar approach," Bruegger added.
The consul general was speaking on the sidelines of a press conference at which Switzerland announced it was less than a month away from being admitted to the Schengen visa accord.
The Schengen visa currently applies to 15 European countries and allows free travel in other Schengen countries without needing individual visas.
Holders of the visa can now travel from Portugal to the north of Norway without undergoing passport checks, although customs are still operating.
While Swiss entry into the Schengen area hasn't been finalised yet, Bruegger said it was "98 per cent likely" as Zurich airport is also preparing for it since a separate terminal is needed for Schengen travel.
Trade between Switzerland and the UAE remains good.
"Trade between Switzerland and the UAE is very good. The trade balance is positive in our favour, meaning we export more to the UAE than we import from the UAE," Bruegger said.
Swiss exports to the UAE hit Dh6.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in 2007, whereas imports from the UAE were a little over Dh1 billion ($283.5 million).
Bruegger said the key sector for exports to the UAE was luxury products such as watches and jewellery.
Total jewellery exports to the UAE stood at Dh1.48 billion, while total watches exported reached Dh1.6 billion.
Swiss exports to the UAE hit Dh6.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in 2007, whereas imports from the UAE were a little over Dh1 billion ($283.5 million).
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