Hans Stalder said that a sizeable number of them are already pursuing studies there, especially at hotel management schools.
He also claimed the country, which has some major joint Saudi-Swiss ventures in operation, is also receiving a large number of tourists from the Kingdom.
Growing bilateral ties between Switzerland and Saudi Arabia were in focus at the official Swiss National Day celebration at Stalder’s residence on Sunday night. Officials, diplomats, businessmen and members of the community were present in large numbers.
“It’s difficult to estimate how many have been visiting Switzerland from the Kingdom, as visas are issued by Schengen Group, an association of states in Europe that in theory adhere to the ideals of the Schengen Convention,” a Swiss official told Arab News.
Switzerland has been one of the newest European countries to join the group.
The celebration marked the strong bonds of friendship existing between Switzerland and the Kingdom.
“The involvement of reputable Swiss watch companies and joint ventures in the event was proof of the growing bilateral commercial ties,” Stalder told the gathering.
After playing a taped message from Swiss Confederation President Doris Leuthard, the consul general said the Swiss National Day, on Aug. 1, had been celebrated for just over a century.
It was only in 1993 that the hardworking Swiss agreed that they could all take the day off, even though the event it commemorates took place over 700 years ago.
The day was chosen because Aug. 1, 1291 was the day where three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation, an act that later came to be regarded as the foundation of Switzerland.
Representatives from Schwyz, Unterwalden and Uri met on the Rutli field, high above Lake Lucerne, to swear a bond of brotherhood and agreed to act jointly if their freedoms were threatened by outside aggressors.
Therefore, the official part of the Aug. 1 celebrations still take place on the Rutli field, with a public address by the federal president.
