On 15 December 2020, the Swiss National Council (lower house of parliament) approved the ratification of the pending income and capital tax treaty with Bahrain, as well as the pending protocol to the 1999 income and capital tax treaty with Kuwait, which was signed on 6 November 2019.

The pending treaty with Bahrain, signed 23 November 2019, is the first of its kind between the two countries. It will enter into force once the ratification instruments are exchanged and will apply from 1 January of the year following its entry into force.

The pending protocol to the tax treaty with Kuwait, signed 6 November 2019 is the first to amend the treaty and includes several changes to bring the treaty in line with BEPS standards, as well as changes in withholding on dividends and interest and other changes. The protocol will enter into force once the ratification instruments are exchanged and will generally apply from 1 January of the year following its entry into force.