The Bahamas and Switzerland are seeking to enhance diplomatic ties in the financial services sector.

Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General, made the statement as he accepted Letters of Credence from Ulrich Lehner Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General, left, accepts Letters of Credence from Ulrich Lehner, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, during a ceremony at Government House on March 29, 2012. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

Ulrich Lehner, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas pays a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 28, 2012. Pictured from left are Ambassador Joshua Sears, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr Patricia Rodgers, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Minister Symonette; Ambassador Lehner; and Christian Coquoz, Honorary Consul, Consulate of Switzerland, Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Kris Ingraham)

The Presentation of Letters was held during a ceremony at Government House on March 29, 2012.

The Bahamas and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in 1974, and have shared interests in international financial services and tourism.

Switzerland is the fourth largest import trading partner of The Bahamas, as of December 31, 2010 and its largest European trading partner.

The Bahamas has maintained relations with the Swiss regulators, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), where The Bahamas subscribes to and promotes the need for a sound banking and regulatory environment as set for in the Basel Core Principles for effective banking supervision. The Bahamas also hosts offices for Switzerland’s two largest banks: UBS AG and Credit Suisse.

Ambassador Lehner pledged to continue to promote cordial relations between both countries.

Ambassador Lehner, 58, has served in various diplomatic posts in France, Rome, Monaco and Ottawa, Canada. He started his career in the Foreign Service in 1979.

Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General, right, and Ulrich Lehner Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas pose for an official photograph. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham (right) welcomes Ulrich Lehner, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, during a courtesy call March 29. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

Ulrich Lehner, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, presents Letters of Credence during a ceremony at Government House March 29, 2012. Pictured from left are Federica Lehner Timbal, the Ambassador’s wife; Ambassador Lehner; Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General; and Lady Foulkes. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)