The export-orientation of domestic industry, but also other factors such as the limited labor market and the small domestic market for sales, make international relations so tremendously important for the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein's most intensive bilateral relations are with its immediate neighbors Austria and Switzerland. Since 1924, Liechtenstein has been in a customs union with Switzerland. In the same year, Liechtenstein introduced the Swiss Franc as official currency. However, a currency agreement between Liechtenstein and Switzerland was only concluded on June 19, 1980. Already early on, this opened up a larger market for Liechtenstein industry. The introduction of the Swiss franc as the national currency brought further stability to the Liechtenstein business location.

In 1960 and 1972, Liechtenstein concluded additional treaties with EFTA and the EC. Since 1991, the Principality of Liechtenstein has been a full member of EFTA; in 1995, further memberships in the EEA and the WTO followed. In addition to these most significant memberships, a whole series of further economic agreements could be listed to which Liechtenstein is party. Examples are the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT).

The successful national economy of Liechtenstein has created about 33,400 jobs (2008), not all of which could be filled with employees from Liechtenstein. The proportion of foreign employees is over 67%, primarily cross-border commuters from Austria and Switzerland. But also the proportion of foreigners living in Liechtenstein is 33,1% (2008).

These numbers demonstrate clearly that Liechtenstein is an open country with an international orientation, which cultivates intensive bilateral and multilateral relations and takes its responsibility seriously as a successful industrial nation in the heart of Europe.

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