OREANDA-NEWS. May 19, 2008. Ukraine has a stake in the study and use of knowhow of Switzerland, which is one of the most influential nations in Europe's finance and economy market, in the creation of socially oriented free market economy and deepening of relations at all levels. Ukraine's Economy Minister Bohdan Danylyshyn said this during a meeting with his Swiss partner Doris Leuthard, the economy ministry press service reported.

Danylyshyn expressed confidence that, in conditions of social and economic globalization, Ukraine and Switzerland can effectively respond to challenges of the new millennium on condition of use of their basic resources - professional skills of citizens, entrepreneurial initiative and capabilities for self-development.

The delegates to the meeting also discussed the condition and perspectives of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, as well as prospects for holding in 2008 a scheduled meeting of the Ukrainian - Swiss commission for trade and economic cooperation. Danylyshyn noted that Switzerland continues holding the lead among other nations by the volume of direct foreign investments in Ukrainian economy.

He invited Swiss companies to take part in implementation of projects involving preparations for the European football finals in Ukraine in 2012.

According to the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine, by January 1, 2008, the capital of Swiss investors in Ukrainian enterprises reached USD 583,4 million, which is 2% of the total volume of foreign investments in Ukraine (7th place among European countries). 351 enterprises with Swiss capital are functioning in Ukraine.