The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Georg Fischer Corporation have agreed to exchange staff so as to deepen their understanding of the mutual needs of foreign policy and business. To this end, a pilot project was launched under which a Swiss diplomat will be working in the Georg Fischer Corporation while a Georg Fischer employee will be given the opportunity of obtaining hands-on experience in a Swiss embassy abroad.

The agreement provides for Jürg Lauber, member of the diplomatic staff in the international-law unit, to commence an assignment working with the Georg Fischer Corporation on March 1, 1998. Upon receiving an introduction at Schaffhausen, Mr. Lauber will continue to work for various corporate subsidiaries at home and abroad until September, 1999.

On the part of the Georg Fischer Corporation, Markus Sauter, Head of Communication at Schaffhausen-based Georg Fischer Management AG, will be working for the Swiss embassy in Washington, D.C., from January 1 through December 31, 1998. He will be introduced to the activities designed to defend Switzerland’s interests in the U.S. Upon completion of this introduction, it is planned for him to take on an assignment in the embassy’s information services.

During Mr. Sauter’s absence, Rodolfo Brunner, Head of Corporate Planning, will assume the functions of Head of Communication and Media Spokesman on behalf of the Georg Fischer Corporation.

Schaffhausen, September 11, 1997