Prime Minister Brigitte Haas took part in the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 15 to 17 October 2026. As Liechtenstein’s IMF Governor, she represented the country in the IMF bodies and used the Annual Meetings for one-on-one talks with numerous international partners from Austria, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and Thailand.

Focus on global economic challenges

As Liechtenstein’s IMF Governor, Prime Minister Haas took part in the deliberations of the Board of Governors on the global economic situation and the current challenges to international economic and financial stability. With the new Director of the IMF’s European Department, Mateusz Szczurek, she discussed economic developments in Liechtenstein and Europe as well as the country’s cooperation with the IMF. The Prime Minister highlighted the value of the IMF’s technical assistance, particularly in further developing macroeconomic statistics on Liechtenstein and analysing systemic risks in the financial sector. The particular challenges and benefits of IMF membership for small states were also the focus of her conversation with the Maltese Minister for Finance, Clyde Caruana.

Strengthening economic partnerships

A further focus of the talks was Liechtenstein’s network of free trade and double taxation agreements (DTAs). While a DTA was signed with the Philippines, the topic was also discussed in the talks with Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Thailand. In her exchanges with the finance ministers of Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, and Poland, economic and financial topics within the framework of the EEA and cooperation with the EU were discussed.

The Prime Minister also took part in the annual meeting of the IMF constituency led by Switzerland and Poland, together with President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin, Swiss Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, Chairman of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) Martin Schlegel, Polish Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domański, and other high-ranking officials.

Further deepening economic relations with Thailand

With Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the Prime Minister discussed the further deepening of bilateral relations. The talks centred on the free trade agreement between the EFTA States and Thailand, which is expected to enter into force soon. It improves market access and legal certainty for businesses, creating new opportunities for trade and investment. The Liechtenstein Parliament approved the agreement in March 2026.

The possible opening of negotiations on a DTA between Thailand and Liechtenstein was also raised. Complementing the free trade agreement, a DTA would create additional tax certainty for businesses and investors.

The IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok gave Liechtenstein the opportunity to contribute its interests as a small and internationally highly interconnected economy to the work of the IMF while further strengthening relations with important international partners. “Open markets, reliable rules, and strong multilateral institutions are of central importance to Liechtenstein. At the IMF Annual Meetings, we can speak directly with decision-makers from all over the world,” said the Prime Minister.