Swiss Post is issuing a special stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Half a century has passed since it was inaugurated, yet EFTA is still a key institution for Switzerland as an exporting country. The stamp, with a face value of CHF 1.40, is available from 3 September 2010.

EFTA was established 50 years ago by seven European countries as an alternative to the newly created customs union of the European Economic Community (a predecessor to today's EU). Today EFTA's four remaining members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. As the world's seventh largest goods trader and fifth largest services trader, the organization is an important trade partner. EFTA is crucial to Switzerland's export economy: 20 out of the 23 free trade agreements maintained by Switzerland today have been concluded as part of EFTA. Thanks to this network, Switzerland enjoys preferential conditions for economic exchange throughout the world.

The special stamp has been created by graphic artist Demian Conrad from Lausanne. It has a face value of CHF 1.40, and a completely yellow background with no white edge.

The «EFTA 50 years» special stamp will be issued on 3 September 2010 and is valid from that date until further notice. It will available from  www.swisspost.ch/philashopThe link will open in a new window, philatelic salespoints and post offices in Switzerland, and can already be pre-ordered online.