Dear Reader, Greetings from New Media. It is indeed great pleasure for me to present a fortnightly electronic version of Indo-Swiss Business, our regular bimonthly print publication, launched in 2002. The magazine, the first of its kind, has fulfilled to a large extent New Media's vision and mission of contributing towards enhancement of bilateral trade between India and Switzerland.

It is from the above point of view that the electronic version, a brand new baby in our cradle, is being launched on 15th August, a momentous occasion on which both India and Switzerland celebrate their National Day. I'm confident this new venture from the New Media Group will help open new vistas for both the countries.

The main highlight of the e-Zine is an in-depth article by Swiss Counsellor (Economic and Commercial Affairs) Daniel Freihofer presenting a broader picture of the new dimensions that Swiss-Indian Economic Ties have acquired in recent years. A brief interview with Ambassador of Switzerland Philip Welti indicates that science and education are expected to dominate Indo-Swiss cooperation in the coming years.

0 Satya Swaroop with H.E.Micheline Calmy-Rey   Satya Swaroop with H.E.Samuel Schimid and J. Koch       Satya Swaroop with H.E. Pascal Couchepin and J. Rengli

Astronomy is a surprise area that has brought young school students from Switzerland and India closer. Muriel Noca, project manager of Switzerland's satellite project SwissCube, discusses how deeply the young generation of both countries are interacting in the field of space science.

My interaction with the various Swiss Presidents such as H.E. Samuel Schimid, H.E. Pascal Couchepin and H.E.Micheline Calmy-Rey over the years indicates their keen interest in building a lasting bond between India and Switzerland.

I promise that I and my colleagues will strive hard to meet the expectations of our readers through a well-designed and presented electronic edition of Indo-Swiss Business.

Satya Swaroop
Managing Editor