IP/C/R/TC/CHE/3  
 
23 September 2022  
(22-7131) Page: 1/16 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects  of 
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES:  
INFORMATION FROM MEMBERS  
SWITZERLAND  
The following communication, dated 8 September 2022 , is b eing circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland . 
 
_______________  
 
 
INTRODUCTION  
1.  Based on its legal mandate, the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (hereafter "IPI") 
takes part in technical cooperation in the area of intellectual property (IP). This cooperation takes 
place either independently or in collaboration with oth er Swiss national and/or international 
institutions.  
2.  Technical cooperation in the field of IP facilitates a more efficient operation of the competent IP 
authorities in the partner countries. This can be achieved, for example, through the training of 
releva nt employees, or assistance in drafting and implementing legislation.  
3.  Reforms in the area of IP are designed to create an environment that is more conducive to 
business to improve the socioeconomic situation in project countries. This involves, in particular:  
a. boosting the investment climate, promoting access to new sectors and markets, fostering 
creative industries, and promoting research and innovation;  
b. developing technology and knowledge transfer; and  
c. preventing piracy and the trade of counterfeit  goods (e.g. medicines, auto parts, and 
batteries) to better protect human health and the environment.  
4.  The aim of Switzerland 's technical cooperation in the field of IP is to protect IP in partner countries 
in an appropriate, effective, calculable and easi ly applicable manner. This involves assessing and 
balancing the economic benefits and the interests of all those affected by IP rights. These objectives 
should also contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  
5.  The Global  Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR), funded by the Swiss Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO), supports developing and least developed countries as well as emerging 
economies in building efficient and effective protection for IP rights to support economic 
development and facilitate the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).  
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- 2 - ANNEX1 
Name of programme or project  Colombian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (COLIPRI) Phase ll  
Date and end date  1 October 2019 - 30 September 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Colombia  
Brief description  The overall goal of the project is "to contribute that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Colombia 
benefit from an improved intellectual property system ". 
Beneficiary institution or audience  Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC ), Colombia  
Dirección Nacional de Derecho de Autor (DNDA), Colombia  
Selected public sector, private sector and academia representatives  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "The national IP Policy has been updated, is being implemented and enforced according to its 
action plan ": 
1. Supported the consultation of interest groups, and th e preparation and official launch of the new National 
IP Strategy (adopted in November 2021, including an action plan and milestones;  
2. Conducting a legal gap analysis of industrial design legislation and its compatibility with the Hague system;  
3. Conducting a legal gap analysis of geographical indication legislation and a feasibility study in regard to the 
Geneva Act of the Lisbon System;  
4. Evaluating 12 handicraft geographical indication products using the GI impact assessment methodology.  
5. Transcribing video court hearings regarding industrial property to make jurisprudence available in a public 
database.  
Under Component B, "IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly services ": 
6. Drafted a study on the non -payment of copyright remuneration to CMOs;  
7. Drafted a guide on best practices for CMO management and  oversight for the DNDA.  
Under Component C, "IPR entities, academia and private sector representatives promote the acquisition, use and 
transfer of IPRs to potential users ": 
8. Creating promotional videos on copyright for the DNDA;  
9. Creating a new IP course module for entrepreneurs, together with Colombia Productiva;  
10. Organizing two regional exchanges among producers of geographical indications i n the Huila and Santander 
departments of Colombia, following the "Col-Col" (Colombia exchanges with Colombia) modality;  
11. Supporting the second regional virtual training on geographical indications for Latin America;  
12. Participation of four representat ives of Colombia in a study tour on the Swiss system of geographical 
indications and an international conference on geographical indications in France.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/colombia -phase -2?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.Hirsig@ipi.ch  
 
 
1 In English only .  
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- 3 - Name of programme or project  Albanian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (ALSIP)  
Date and end date  1 March 2020 - 29 February 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Albania  
Brief description  The overall goal of the project is "to contribute that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Albania 
benefit from effective protection of IP objects. " 
Beneficiary institution or audience  General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) (Ministry of Finance and Economy)  
Copyright Directorate (Ministry of Culture), State Inspectorate of Market Surveillance (SIMS)  
Other selected partners of the national IP system  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)   
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- 4 - Name of programme or project  Albanian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (ALSIP)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "Improved IP legislation and effective implementation of the national IP strategy contribute 
to bet ter framework conditions for investment and innovation ": 
1. Assessment of the national geographical indication system as a contribution to the Government of Albania 's 
updated National IP Strategy of Albania (2022 -2025), adopted in May 2022. Support provide d for regional 
presentations of the updated National IP Strategy of Albania, as well as its translation into English, printing and 
distribution.  
 
Under Component B, "Well-functioning intellectual property rights (IPRs) registration and administration entit ies 
provide efficient and user -friendly services ":  
2. Drafting an application guide for agri -food geographical indications and traditional specialties guaranteed.  
3. Drafting an application guide for non -food geographical indications.  
4. Participation of Albanian delegates in a study tour on the Swiss system of geographical indications and an 
international conference on geographical indications in France.  
Under Component C, "IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the promoti on, 
acquisition, use and transfer of IPRs to potential users ":  
5. Translation of WIPO 's "Boosting Tourism Development through Intellectual Property " into Albanian and its 
distribution.  
6. Assessment of the situation of already registered geographical indications in Albania.  
7. Drafting a guide on the development of agri -food geographical indications and traditional specialties guaranteed 
in Albania.  
8. Providing a printer, scanner and photocopy machine for the GDIP 's IP promotion and train ing centre.  
9. Supporting the GDIP 's IP promotion and training centre by formulating a long -term strategy (ongoing).  
10. Workshop on IP commercialization for universities.  
 
Under Component D, "Enforcement of IPRs is strengthened ":  
11. Supporting a publication on enforcement of copyright for judiciaries in Albanian, distribution in several regional 
cities.  
12. Supporting the printing and distribution of WIPO 's prosecutor 's manual in Albanian.  
13. Organized cluster -specific workshops on copyright enforcement with universities, national radio/television, an 
association of bars, and publishing houses.  
14. Supporting Albania 's second World IP Day in April 2022.  
 
Under Component E, "Awareness of Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) and IPR  commercialization as part 
of innovation process is increased ":  
15. Printing and regional distribution of the "Guide on IP for Start -ups" (in Albanian).  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/albania?L=0%22  
Contact point for further information  Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch   
Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.Hirsig@ipi.ch  
  
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- 5 - Name of programme or project  Iranian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (IRSIP)  
Date  and end date  1 January 2020 - 31 December 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Iran 
Brief description  The overall objective of the IRSIP is to strengthen the Iranian intellectual property system, to improve business 
competitiveness and commercialization of intellectual property assets, and to make a positive impact on Iran 's 
economic development.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Iranian Intellectual Property Centre (IPC), Ministry of Agriculture Jahad (MAJ), Ministry of Cultural Heritage, 
Handicrafts and Tourism (MCHT), Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), and other selected partners of the national 
IP system, Iranian GI producers and other selected private sector representatives  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Impleme nting & Funding Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "Laws, rules, strategies, and procedures to support the protection and commercialization of 
IPRs and the development of the creative economy are strengthened ": 
• Four training & coaching sessions on organisational development strategy and management for the IPC and one 
assessment report of the diagnosis phase.  
• One assessment study and recommendations on the establishment of C ollective Management Organisations 
(CMOs) in Iran.  
• Six exchange sessions with Iranian public authorities on GI protection policy & framework.  
• One assessment study of the Iranian GI protection framework  
• Mission to Iran and 2 workshops for the IPC, MAJ , and IRICA to form the first Iranian National GI Committee.  
 
Under Component B, "Iran's IP protection system is improved for its users ": 
• 12 online trainings on IP for Iranian start -ups and SMEs.  
• 19 online advanced trainings on patent drafting for Iran ian patent agents.  
 
Under Component C, "The economic value, business competitiveness, and sustainability of registered Iranian 
geographical indications (GIs) are recognized and demonstrated ": 
• Drafting two value chain analyses of the selected Iranian GIs (Zilu of Meybod and Piarom dates of Hajiabad) as 
the Project Pilots.  
• Three field missions to Iran and on -site trainings of the local GI producers, value chain supporters and 
stakeholders of Zilu and Piarom dates by the international and national consulta nts. 
• One virtual training of local producers and value chain supporters & stakeholders of Zilu and Piarom dates on GI 
management by the international consultant.  
• Translation of the IPI 's Indonesian GI Success Guide into Farsi  
• Educational package on GIs for stakeholders from the public and private sectors.  
• Educational package on GI association, control and traceability mechanisms for GIs.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/iran  
Contact point for further information  Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.Ghafouri@ipi.ch  
  
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- 6 - Name of programme or project  Peruvian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (PESIPRO), Phase 2  
Date and end date  1 June 2022 - 30 November 2026  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Peru 
Brief description  The project 's overall objective is that private sector, academic, and civil society actors benefit from a stronger IP 
system and strategically use IP rights for their development.  
The following four outcomes of the project are closely interlinked with each other at different levels of the IP system 
and are expected to contribute towards this overall objective:  
• Peruvian private sector and research institutes make better use of the patent and industrial design systems.  
• Increa sed capacity of the Peruvian systems of denominations of origin (DO), geographical indications (GIs), 
collective trademarks, and traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG).  
• Increased knowledge of the Peruvian creative industry and decision makers about cop yright.  
Support Peruvian Government efforts to promote the protection of traditional knowledge related to biological 
resources.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Peruvian National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property – Indecopi  
Selected private sector partners  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Implementation of project underway and activities being planned.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/develo pment -cooperation/current -projects/peru?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch  
  
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- 7 - Name of programme or project  Free-of-Charge Searches for WIPO on behalf of Developing Countries (WIPO Searches)  
Date and end date  16 July 2012 - 31 December 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Andorra; Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; 
Kingdom of Bahrain; Bangladesh;  Barbados; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Plurinational State of Bolivia; Bosnia 
and Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; 
Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; Chile; China; Colombia; Comoros; Congo; Costa Rica; Côte d 'Ivoire; 
Cuba; Curaçao; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El 
Salvador; Equatorial Guinea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; The Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; 
Guinea; Guinea -Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Holy See; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; 
Israel; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; the State of Kuwait; Kyrgyz Republic; Lao People 's 
Democratic Republic; Lebanese Republic; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Macao, China; Madagascar; Malawi; Malaysia; 
Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique; 
Myanmar; Namibia; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Nigeria; North Macedonia; Oman; P akistan; Panama; Papua New 
Guinea; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation; Rwanda; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint 
Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tomé and Principe; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Serbia; 
Seychelles; Sie rra Leone; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; 
Suriname; Syrian Arab Republic; The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Tajikistan; 
Tanzania; Thailand; Timor -Leste; Togo; Tonga; Trini dad and Tobago; Tunisia; Türkiye; Uganda; Ukraine; United 
Arab Emirates; Uruguay; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Viet Nam; Yemen; Zambia; 
Zimbabwe  
Brief description  Since 1987, the IPI has participated in WIPO 's Patent Information Services for Developing Countries (WPIS) and 
has handled individual requests for patent information (state -of-the-art search reports). Additionally, since 
1 January 2011, the IPI has participated in the International Cooperation on Examination (ICE) part of WPIS. 
Therein, the IPI not only provides "state-of-the-art search reports ", but also "search and examination reports ". 
These types of reports are provided to facilitate national patent applications in the beneficiary countries. The 
programme supports the national patent offices in building their competence in search and examination procedures, 
and helps to strengthen the patent system and legal certainty worldwide. Between September 2021 and August 
2022, six ICE -reports were provided (three fo r Kenya, and one each for Madagascar, Samoa and Djibouti).  
Beneficiary institution or audience  IP offices of Kenya, Madagascar, Samoa and Djibouti.  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  1. Supporting national patent authorities in developing countries in increasing their competence in the area of 
search and examination procedures, and thus st rengthening the patent system and legal certainty worldwide.  
2. Supporting research institutions and national patent authorities in developing countries in the use of patent 
information and in establishing a functioning system for the protection of intelle ctual property in order to promote 
innovation.  
Website for further information   
Contact point for further information  Martin Girsberger: Martin.Girsberger@ipi.ch  
  
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- 8 - Name of programme or project  Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR)  
Date and end date  7 June 2018 - 31 December 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Andorra; Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; 
Kingdom of Bahrain; Bangladesh; Barbados; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Plurinational State of Bolivia; Bosnia 
and Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; 
Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; Ch ile; China; Colombia; Comoros; Congo; Costa Rica; Côte d 'Ivoire; 
Cuba; Curaçao; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El 
Salvador; Equatorial Guinea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; The Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; 
Guinea; Guinea -Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Holy See; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; 
Israel; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; the State of Kuwait; Kyrgyz Republic; Lao People 's 
Democrati c Republic; Lebanese Republic; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Macao, China; Madagascar; Malawi; Malaysia; 
Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique; 
Myanmar; Namibia; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Ni geria; North Macedonia; Oman; Pakistan; Panama; Papua New 
Guinea; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation; Rwanda; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint 
Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tomé and Principe; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; S enegal; Serbia; 
Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; 
Suriname; Syrian Arab Republic; The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Tajikistan; 
Tanzania; Thailand; Timor -Leste; Togo; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tunisia; Türkiye; Turkmenistan; Uganda; 
Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; Uruguay; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Viet Nam; 
Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe  
Brief description  Most of Switzerland 's bilateral technical cooperation in the area of IP is carried out through projects financed by 
SECO and implemented by the IPI, based on the GPIPR. The GPIPR supports developing and least developed 
countries as well as emerging economies in bu ilding an efficient and effective protection of intellectual property 
rights to support economic development and facilitate the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement of the World 
Trade Organization (WTO).  
IP-supportive regimes and systems are fundamental to creating sound framework conditions for sustainable trade. 
IP is central to promoting innovation and the development of new goods, services and production methods. IP 
provides the incentives necessary to pursue further research and developme nt, and creative works. As such, it is 
part of a sound foundation for a prosperous private sector as it can attract international investors and protect local 
knowledge.  
IP is a central element of today 's world trade system and follows standards set out by the WTO 's TRIPS Agreement, 
the dedicated instrument for IP. IP is also an important topic in trade negotiations to create a level playing field for 
all actors involved and to ensure that pirated goods are not exchanged in legitimate trading channels. In or der to 
facilitate the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, developed countries, like Switzerland, have committed to 
providing technical and financial cooperation for developing and least developed countries. The GPIPR program is 
SECO 's response to this c ommitment.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Relevant entities and private stakeholders in Albania, Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, Myanmar, Peru, Serbia, South 
Africa and Tunisia.  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institut e of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)   
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- 9 - Name of programme or project  Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR)  
Outputs or impact  The overall goal of the GPIPR is to contribute to an improved IP regime in developing and least developed countries 
as well as emerging econ omies. While IP offices may be the main direct beneficiaries of the program in most cases, 
other actors also benefit from the interventions under the GPIPR, such as ministries of agriculture, customs or 
police agencies, judicial institutions, universities,  IP-related organizations and associations, SMEs, and wider 
producer groups. The GPIPR can offer support related to the following areas:  
A) advising on IP policy, strategy and legislation for all IP rights;  
B) improving IP administration and good governanc e; 
C) assisting owners in the use IP rights;  
D) improving enforcement of IP rights; and  
E) facilitating knowledge and technology transfer.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/global -program -for-intelle ctual-
property -rights  
Contact point for further information  SECO: info.wehu.cooperation@seco.admin.ch   
IPI: Martin Girsberger, martin.girsberger@ipi.ch  
  
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- 10 - Name of programme or project  Swiss -Serbian Intellectual Property Project (SSIP) Phase II  
Date and end date  22 June 2017 - 31 December 2021  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Serbia  
Brief description  This is a project under the Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR). The project 's selected areas of 
cooperation include:  
• Increasing the demand of IP users to protect and capitalise on their IPRs; 
• Improving the legal and institutional framework as well as the enforcement of GIs in order to facilitate the 
economic and social benefits of producers and consumers; and  
• Strengthening capacities for the market valorisation of GI products to better market traditional products for the 
benefit of rural and artisanal communities.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Ministry of Science, Education and Technological Development  
Serbian Intellectual Property Office (IPO)  
Serbian Ministry of Agricult ure and Water Management  
National Association of Producers of geographical indications "Original " 
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  The Swiss -Serbian Intellectual Property Project – Phase II (SSIP -II) was launched in 2017 and was completed by 
31 December 2021. The project 's overall goal was to contribute to higher competitiveness of Serbian products, and 
to have a positive impact on Serbia 's economic development.  
The activities undertaken during the reporting period and main results of the project are listed below:  
- The project has enabled GI producers i n Serbia to capitalize on their protected names by improved labelling and 
better communication of origin -linked quality to consumers.  
- Eight films promoting use of intellectual property by businesses have been produced.  
- The project supported the establi shment of the new website of the association Original Serbia and of the Serbian 
Intellectual Property Office.  
- The project contributed to the development of the certification system for Serbian geographical indications.  
- The film "Values that are Worth  It" comprised the main effects and impact of the project, from the view of 
stakeholders and beneficiaries.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/serbia?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch  
  
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- 11 - Name of programme or project  Technopark Serbia 2 – IP Component (TES -2 - IP) 
Date and end date  1 July 2020 - 31 December 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Serbia  
Brief description  The Project Technopark Serbia – Boosting Exports through Technoparks (Phase II) is funded by the Swiss State 
Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the Science and Technology Park Belgrade (STPB). 
The IP-specific challenges which were observed during the planning of the second phase of the Technopark Project 
made it necessary to design a separate project specifically focusing on the IP component.  
 
The TES -2-IP contributes to the main Technopark Serbia Project by raising awareness about intellectual property 
rights (IPRs) within start -ups through technoparks and the Serbian Intellectual Property Office (IPO). To this end, 
various activities are being implemented that are primarily aimed  at building the capacities of an IP officer, relevant 
STPB staff, Niš and Čačak science and technology parks ' staff in IP and in high -tech businesses. The project provides 
support in the form of IP searches for start -ups. The start -ups will also receive t raining through workshops on IP 
strategies, while the IP rights of the selected start -ups with the most potential and/or need, in view of the relevant 
markets and the given IP landscape, will be protected.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Serbian Scien ce and Technology Park Belgrade, Serbian start -ups, Serbian Intellectual Property Office  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  A number of project activities in the field of intellectual property were implemented within the framework of the 
second innovation cycle launched in the Technopark in Serbia:  
• Second public call for start -ups in the second innovation cycle of the "Raising Starts " program.  
• Second innovation cycle of the Raising Starts program launched;  
• 45 start -up teams received trainings about IP rights, business, management and finance.  
• Webinar held for 44 start -ups on the topic "Stay ahead of the innovation game ". 
• Webinar held in cooperation with the Serbian IPO for start -ups and technopark companies entitled "Introduction 
to the patent system ". 
• Webinar held for technopark companies on "Trademark protection in the USA and China ". 
• 44 companies from the first cycle of the Raising Starts program received a personalized IP report. The report 
includes basic IP rights research on their innovations as well as basic information about IP rig hts protection.  
• Webinar entitled "Business and IP Solution " held for 25 companies.  
• Webinar entitled "Protection of innovation with intellectual property rights and tax relief " held by the Serbian IPO 
and a local tax expert.  
• Three start -ups received i n-depth mentoring sessions over a six -month period on IP protection and the use of 
artificial technology.  
• A start -up company was selected by a group of mentors and has received financial support for patent filing, 
patent protection and trademark protect ion.  
• Four capacity -building trainings conducted with staff of the technology parks in Serbia on the topic "IP and 
Technology Transfer ".  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/serbia -technopark?L=3  
Contact point for further inf ormation  Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch  
  
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- 12 - Name of programme or project  Swiss -South African Intellectual Property Project (SSAIP)  
Date and end date  17 August 2020 - 16 August 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  South Africa  
Brief description  The overall objective of the SSAIP project is to contribute to South Africa 's socio -economic development through 
promoting the use and protection of intellectual property rights.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic)  
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Under Outcome A: National IP Policy is strengthened through consultations and workshops and sui generis 
geographical indications (GI) system deve loped:  
• A GI Expert Group was established to, inter alia, map stakeholders within the GI legal and institutional framework, 
conduct a non -exhaustive inventory to enable the study and categorization of potential GI products, and examine 
how to provide adeq uate protection within the current legal mechanisms available.  
• An exchange was held between the IPI, the CIPC and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural 
Development on the Swiss frameworks around GIs.  
• The Expert Group participated in a st udy tour on GIs in Switzerland and an international conference on GIs in 
France.  
• An exchange was held between the IPI and the CIPC on governmental supervision of collecting management 
organisations.  
Under Outcome B: IPR registration and administration en tities provide efficient and user -friendly services:  
• Trainings were delivered to CIPC patent examiners on the use of patent search tools and databases.  
Under Outcome C: SMME -supporting agencies and IPR entities promote protection and use of IPRs to poten tial 
users of IPRs:  
• An exchange was held between the IPI and the CIPC on enforcement initiatives and the IPI 's STOP PIRACY 
campaign.  
• An SMME Working Group was established between the CIPC, the IPI, the Department of Small Businesses (DSBD) 
and the Sma ll Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) to work, inter alia, on a stakeholder map and materials for 
SEDA and SMMEs.  
Under Outcome D: Increased commercialisation of IPRs as part of the innovation process.  
• Workshops were given on the internal regulations and procedures for collecting societies.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/south -africa?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch   
Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch   
Alexandra Nightingale: Alexandra.Nightingale@ipi.ch  
  
  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/3  
 
- 13 - Name of programme or project  Myanmar -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MYSIPP)  
Date and end date  1 January 2020 - 31 December 2022  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Myanmar  
Brief description  The Myanmar -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MYSIPP) started in January 2020 and has a duration of three 
years until December 2022. The overall objective of the MYSIPP is to contribute to the establishment of an IP 
system in Myanmar, which is an essential component to create favourable conditions for sustainable trade. Due to 
the current political situation, no activities, meetings, or training se ssions with governmental or government -related 
agencies can be conducted in Myanmar. Support to the private sector has nonetheless continued.  
The expected outcome is that the main actors of the tea and coffee sectors of Myanmar will be aware of the benefit s 
of GIs and trained in order to take an informed decision whether to support the producers of their sectors in applying 
for GI protection (as soon as a GI system is available in Myanmar).  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Myanmar Coffee Association  
Myanmar Tea Association  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Activities conducted in 2022:  
• Awareness raising for the Myanmar Tea Association on the potential benefits of GIs  
• International cupping event for Myanmar origin and specialty coffee during the World of Coffee Fair (Milan, Italy, 
June 2022), with the Myanmar Coffee Association  
• Facilitation of the participation of the Myanmar Coffee Association in an international conference on geographical 
indications in France (Montpellier, France, July 2022)  
• Evaluation of additional product sectors regarding their interest in GIs  
Website for further informatio n https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/myanmar  
Contact point for further information  Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch   
Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch  
  
  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/3  
 
- 14 - Name of programme or project  Swiss -Ghanaian Intellectual Property Project (SGIP II) Phase II  
Date and end date  1 January 2016 - 30 September 2021  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Ghana  
Brief description  The overall goal of SGIP -II was to contribute to Ghana 's socio -economic development through promoting the use 
and protection of intellectual property rights.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Ministry of Trade and Industry  
Ministry of Justice  
Copyright Office  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretari at for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  The Swiss -Ghanaian Intellectual Property Project – Phase II (SGIP -II) was launched in January 2016 and activities 
were completed by 30 September 2021. The project 's overall goal was to contribute to Ghana 's socio -economic 
development by promoting the use and protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs). Like SGIP -I, SGIP -II was 
financed by SECO, while the IPI served as the implementing agency for the project.  
SGIP-II had four Components. The acti vities undertaken under each Component during the reporting period are 
listed below:  
Under Component A, "An enabling IP environment and an improved service provision is in place for IP users ": 
The project delivered trainings for the staff of the Ghanaian I ndustrial Property Office (GHIPO) covering the 
following topics:  
1) IT 
2) Trade marks  
3) Soft skills  
 
Under Component B, "Targeting research institutions and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to increase the 
commercialisation of their IPRs ": 
These activities have been completed.  
 
Under Component C, "Improving the protection and enforcement of IPRs for higher economic benefits for right 
holders and safeguarding consumers from substandard goods ": 
The project delivered a Communication Strategy to the G hanaian Copyright Office.  
 
Under Component D, "Increasing the legal protection of geographical indications (GIs) to better market traditional 
products for the benefit of rural and artisanal communities ": 
The project provided coaching sessions to individual  producer groups.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/ghana  
Contact point for further information  Georges Bauer, Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch  
  
  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/3  
 
- 15 - Name of programme or project  Georgian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (GESIP)  
Date and end date  1 July 2022 - 30 June 2025  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Georgia  
Brief description  The overall objective of the project is "to contribute to Georgia 's socio -economic development through a more 
effective use of GIs and by the government providing better services to Georgian IP users. " 
 
GESIP will provide support to the following identified priority areas:  
• Legal support  
• Support on GIs to Sakpatenti and other governmental institutions  
• Support on GIs to GI producers  
Support to Sakpatenti 's Department of Inventions and New Varieties and Breeds.  
Beneficiary institution  or audience  The National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia (Sakpatenti),  
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA), and  
other selected public and private sector representatives  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency : Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  GI Study Tour in Switzerland.  
Website for further information   
Contact point for further information  Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch   
Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.Ghafouri@ipi.ch  
  
  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/3  
 
- 16 - Name of programme or project  Tunisian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (TUSIP)  
Date and end date  1 January 2022 - 31 December 2025  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Tunisia  
Brief description  The project objective is to contribute to entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Tunisia benefitting 
from effective IP protection.  
Outcome A: Improved IP legislation and effective implementation of the National IP Strategy contribute to better 
framework conditions for investment and innovation.  
Outcome B: Well -functioning IPR registration and administration en tities provide efficient and user -friendly services.  
Outcome C: IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the promotion of the acquisition, 
use, and transfer of IPRs to potential users.  
Outcome D: Enforcement of IPRs is strengthened.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Institut National de la Normalisation et de la Propriété Intellectuelle (INNORPI) (Ministère de l 'Industrie et des 
PME), Direction Générale de la Production Agricole (DGPA) (Ministère de l 'Agriculture), Or ganisme Tunisien des 
Droits d 'Auteur et des Droits Voisins (OTDAV) (Ministère de la Culture)  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI);  
Funding Agency: State Secretariat for Economic Affa irs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Implementation of project underway and activities being planned.  
Outcome A: Improved IP legislation and effective implementation of the National IP Strategy contribute to better 
framework conditions for investment and innovation.  
- Revision of law on patents  
- Revision of law on trademarks  
- Revision of law on industrial designs  
- Revision of law on agri -food geographical indications  
Outcome B: Well -functioning IPR registration and administration entities provide effici ent and user -friendly services.  
- Study tour on geographical indications in Switzerland and participation in an international conference on 
geographical indications in France for five delegates from Tunisia (INNORPI, DGPA and ONAT – Office National de 
l'Artisanat de Tunisie).  
Outcome C: IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the promotion of the acquisition, 
use, and transfer of IPRs to potential users.  
Outcome D: Enforcement of IPRs is strengthened.  
Website for further inf ormation  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/tunisia  
Contact point for further information  Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.hirsig@ipi.ch   
Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.ghafouri@ipi.ch  
 
 
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