IP/C/W/594/Add.5  
 
7 October 2013  
(13-5422)  Page: 1/16  
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
  
  REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
 
SWITZERLAND  
Addendum 
The following communication, dated 30 September 2013, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland.  
_______________ 
  
1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1.  In paragraph 11.2 of the Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns 
(WT/MIN(01)/17), adopted in Doha on 14 November 2001, developed country Members reaffirmed 
their commitment to provide enterprises and institutions with incentives to promote and encourage 
technology transfer to least-developed country Me mbers ("LDCs"), pursuant to Article 66.2 of the 
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectua l Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). In its 
Decision (IP/C/28) of 19 February 2003, the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights (Council for TRIPS) agreed that  developed-country Members shall submit annually 
reports on actions taken or planned in pursuance of their commitments under Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement. Furthermore, it  was agreed that new detailed reports shall be delivered every 
third year and that updates shall be provided in the intervening years. 
1.2.  According to this obligation, and taking th e Decision of the Council for TRIPS into account, 
Switzerland herewith submits its update to last year’s report (IP/C/W/580/Add.4 of 
24 October 2012). The report reflects all new relevant developments in Switzerland. 
1.3.  In 2012, Switzerland reviewed the content and format of its reports from previous years, 
taking into account the comments made by LDC Members at the WTO workshops on Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement held prior to the third TRIPS Council meeting in Geneva every year, as well 
as the discussions on the reports' format and content held at the meetings of the TRIPS Council.  
Some of the input provided by the LDC Group in terms of a standardized format for the reporting (cf. IP/C/W/561 of 6 October 2011) has been taken into consideration for the drafting of Annex I, 
to the extent possible. The table in Annex I includ es the following columns:  Title of Project or 
Programme, Country (which additionally refers to several global programmes), Field of Technology 
Transfer, Duration, Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing Technology Transfer), Budget for 
2012 or a longer period as indicated, and Contact Information. For some programmes, a website 
indicates where interested parties can obtain additional information and find a contact point. 
1.4.  Switzerland's understanding of "technology transfer" includes a broad set of processes 
covering the flows of know-how, experience and equipment amongst different stakeholders such 
as governments, private sector entities, financial institutions, NGOs and research/education 
institutions. Incentives and activities reported he re belong to any of the following four key modes 
of technology transfer, as per a UN definition: (i) physical objects or equipment; (ii) skills and IP/C/W/594/Add.5 
 
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  human aspects of technology management and learning; (iii) designs and blueprints which 
constitute the document-embodied knowledge on information and technology; and (iv) production 
arrangement linkages within which technology is  operated, including the enabling environment for 
such transfer. Foreign direct investment, offici al development assistance (ODA; cf. paragraph 8 
below), commercial lending and equity investment are all important channels through which 
technology transfer is financed. The present repo rt is focused on technology transfer under ODA 
financing. Switzerland provides incentives in numerous sectors contributing to sustainable development in LDCs and believes that this assist ance should be comprehensive and not be limited 
to certain areas.  
2  GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN  THE PROVISION OF INCENTIVES FOR 
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
2.1.  There are two main Swiss government agencies  involved in the provision of incentives, either 
directly or indirectly, for Swiss as well as for other developed country Members' enterprises and 
institutions to engage in activities involving technology transfer to LDCs. These two agencies are the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic 
Affairs (SECO). They are jointly responsible for the formulation and implementation of 
Switzerland's international development cooperation policy. While the SDC assumes the overall coordination function in matters pertaining to development, SECO is the competent centre for 
economic development and the integration of deve loping and transition countries into the world 
economy.   
2.2.  Another agency involved in technology transfer activities in Switzerland is the Swiss National 
Science Foundation (SNSF). Acting on a mandate issued by the Swiss Federal Government, the 
SNSF supports research inside and outside universities and fosters young scientific talent. At an 
international level, the Swiss National Science Foundation aims through its research programmes to make a positive contribution to scientific research in relevant areas of the world, and to promote 
research cooperation between these areas and Switzerland. At present, the Swiss National Science 
Foundation has undertaken a project, in collaboration with the SDC, focused on research partnerships with developing countries, encompa ssing several projects in LDCs (see Annex II). 
3  LEVELS OF SWISS ACTIVITIES PROM OTING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO LEAST-
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 
3.1.  Switzerland's activities and incentives regard ing technology transfer aim to increase the flow 
of technology to LDCs and developing country Members and to build up capacities, which enable 
beneficiary countries to assess, adopt, manage and apply technologies. The activities supported by 
the Swiss Government embrace projects at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. 
3.2.  SECO's and SDC's activities relevant to Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement are carried out 
under the Swiss Official Development Assistan ce Programme (ODA Programme). The Swiss ODA 
Programme includes bilateral, bilateral-multilateral and multilateral initiatives and is primarily aimed at a selected group of priority countries in Latin America, Africa, Central and South-East 
Asia and south-eastern Europe.  Many of the projects contract Swiss, along with other developed 
country Members' enterprises and institutions, to provide their knowledge and technology in assisting the development of human capital, infrastructure and private sector enterprises in LDCs. 
3.3.  At the multilateral level, Switzerland contributes to a variety of technical assistance trust 
funds with the World Bank Group, the regional development banks, and the International Monetary 
Fund. These funds are available either to project managers of these banks or to countries seeking 
funding for technical assistance and technology transfer. Besides cooperation with these financial 
institutions, Switzerland is also engaged in the development projects of many other international 
organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 
(UNCTAD), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the United Nations Development 
Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Food and 
Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural 
Research (CGIAR), or the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). IP/C/W/594/Add.5 
 
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  3.4.  Switzerland supports various bilateral and multilateral projects in order to promote 
investment as well as the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainable impacts of trade. In investment 
promotion, Switzerland aims to mobilize private ca pital, know-how and technologies (i.e. mobile 
money applications) to strengthen the access to finance of enterprises and households, as well as financial intermediation in LDCs, and to facilitate direct investments or joint ventures which 
transfer know-how and technology. Concerning tr ade-related cooperation promotion, Switzerland 
cooperates on a bilateral basis and with bilateral or multilateral agencies.  Trade-related assistance to LDCs is mainly delivered through multilateral programmes and organizations such as the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and the UN Interagency Cluster on Trade and Productive 
Capacities. Herein, special thematic partnerships are maintained with ITC, UNCTAD, ILO and UNIDO, as well as with selected NGOs. Switzerland concluded a large number of bilateral agreements with LDCs, promoting and protecting investments as well as double taxation 
agreements. 
4  INSTRUMENTS FOR THE PROMOTION OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 4.1.  One of the main goals of Switzerland's econ omic and trade-related cooperation is the transfer 
of modern technology and of know-how to recipi ent countries, in order to better enable them to 
upgrade their production facilities to the requ irements of world markets and to become more 
competitive in the global economy.  The promotion of investment and of cooperation agreements 
between the private sectors in the North, South and East is an important instrument of 
development policy, which is primarily intended to support sustainable development in these partner countries. 
4.1  Support of private-se ctor investments in LDCs 
4.2.  Switzerland promotes technology transfer to LDCs by way of supporting small and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs) in several ways.  For in stance, it provides technical advice to SMEs 
domiciled in LDCs such as Bangladesh, Benin and Mali.   
4.3.  Switzerland also encourages Swiss SMEs to invest in LDCs in order to enhance technology 
transfer to LDCs. The SECO Start-up Fund is a lo an instrument established by the State Secretariat 
for Economic Affairs (SECO) in 1997. The administration of the Fund is delegated to 
FINANCEcontact in Zurich. The Fund promotes private sector investment projects in countries with 
economies under development or in transition, including LDCs. The projects must be commercially viable and meet recognized environmental and so cial standards. Investments in developing and 
transition economies involve business risks beyond those generally encountered in Western 
countries. The aim of the Start-up Fund is to share financing and risks with the investor. It does so 
by co-financing the initial investment phase. Financing by the Start-up Fund is in the form of a loan that must be repaid within five years. The SECO Start-up Fund aims at enabling the transfer 
of capital, technological know-how and manageri al expertise. The Start-up Fund has actively 
supported SME activities in LDCs or countries in transition through more than 74 projects such as mango processing in Burkina Faso and coffee processing in Zambia. 
4.4.  Technology transfer to LDCs is also provided by Swiss charitable institutions which are 
incentivised under tax exemption schemes established by the Swiss Government. The Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development may serve as just one example of a Swiss institution to which the tax incentives apply, that is engaged in technology transfer to LDCs 
(http://www.novartisfoundation.org/platform/ apps/home_e/index.asp? MenuID=209&ID=479&Men
u=3&Item=41 ). The Foundation not only supplies a large amount of cost-free medicines to many 
LDCs, but also runs various public health-related projects, including local training to promote 
integrated management of childhood illness, training and supportive supervision of health 
personnel and the provision of training infrastructure. 
4.5.  Switzerland supports private participation in infrastructure in developing countries through 
facilities of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). It has provided equity to the 
Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, which in turn provides long-term US dollar or euro- denominated debt on commercial terms to finance the construction and development of private infrastructure in 47 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. It also supports GuarantCo , which 
enhances local currency debt issuance by private, municipal and parastatal entities for 
infrastructure projects in lower income countries around the world. Finally, it supports InfraCo IP/C/W/594/Add.5 
 
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  Africa,  which develops projects by taking on the high costs and risks of early stage project 
development, and makes infrastructure projects happen in situations where the private sector 
would not otherwise be willing or able to invest. PIDG-supported infrastructure projects are mostly 
(72%) financed and fully implemented by the commercial private sector.  
4.6.  Overall, 77 projects have been supported by  PIDG so far. Of these 77 projects, 37 are now 
operational, delivering new or improved services to over 94 million people, providing long-term 
employment to 183,000 people and leveraging in ov er US$8.8 billion of private sector investment. 
This strong private sector involvement means that  they often utilize cutting edge technology to 
ensure maximum efficiency in the countries in which they operate. Most PIDG-supported projects 
employ local managers and operators, who are recr uited on the basis of their existing, appropriate 
qualifications, but all of whom are also provided with on the job training. 
4.7.  The percentage of training costs in relation to a project's total investment cost varies widely 
depending upon the type of infrastructure being provided, the numbers of staff employed and the 
type of technology being used. It is unusual for the PIDG facilities (i.e. GuarantCo , EAIF ( Emerging 
Africa Infrastructure Fund ) and InfraCo ) supporting a project to finance the costs of technology-
related training, as these costs are part of the overall investment cost of the project. However, in 
some exceptional cases, Technical Assistance (TA) grants have been accessed to provide technology-related training to PIDG supported projects.  
4.8.  In particular, the Chanyanya project developed and implemented by InfraCo Africa  in Zambia 
has accessed US$230,000 of TA funding to provide tr aining and capacity building to local farmers 
in the development, operation and marketing (of produce) of a cooperative designed to provide 
large-scale pivot irrigation services to local farms on the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia. Previously, 
these small-scale farmers relied purely on rainfall for irrigation. These training-related costs 
comprise approximately 10% of the total investment costs of the project.    
4.9.  Switzerland supports the Climate Investment Funds' Scaling Up Renewable Energy 
Programme (SREP) for low-income countries (currently (LDCs listed only): Ethiopia, Mali, Nepal, 
and Tanzania) which finances capacity-building measures and infrastructure projects. The latter also foresee technology transfers for renewable energy technologies.   
4.10.  Moreover, Switzerland supports numerous init iatives to help improve access to finance and 
the business environment for both SMEs and privat e investments by way of technology and know-
how transfer. Examples include the Doing Business Better Initiative  and a mortgage market 
development project in Burkina Faso, the Credit Bureau and Mobile Money Programmes , and the 
Africa Leasing Programme .  
4.11.  In South-East Asia, SECO supports the IFC-led (International Finance Corporation) Mekong 
Private Sector Development Facility  (MPDF), which covers Lao PDR and Cambodia. In terms of 
knowledge transfer, the MPDF has supported efforts to set up credit bureaus both in Lao PDR and 
Cambodia and helped to establish mobile phone banking schemes in Cambodia. Other examples in Southeast Asia include helping First Finance, a Cambodian microfinance company, to develop a 
marketing strategy for its products, supporting the Cambodian Battambang Investment Rice 
Company  to upgrade its environmental and social governance (ESG) scheme, and assisting the 
Westline Education Group , a private education provider in Laos PDR, in its efforts to comply with 
tax and corporate governance obligations. 
4.12.  In Africa, SECO has been supporting Tanzania to set up a credit bureau. The programme 
shall now be expanded to Sierra Leone, Burund i, Lesotho, Zambia and the UEMOA (West African 
Economic and Monetary Union) sub-region. While the Africa Mobile Money programme  supported 
by SECO (among others Madagascar to develop telecom-led payment solutions) finished in 2011, 
such payment solutions and knowledge sharing is no w being supported at the global level with the 
Innovative Retail Payments facility . Technology and know-how transfer is also taking place in the 
Africa Investment Climate Programme  that is supporting Benin, Mozambique and Zambia. 
4.13.  Finally, the Swiss Government through SIFEM AG ( Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging 
Markets ) also provides long-term financing for small and medium-sized enterprises in LDCs 
through private equity-fund investments.  These f unds provide equity investments for SMEs in the 
target countries and combine the investment with a broad range of technical assistance to the IP/C/W/594/Add.5 
 
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  beneficiary companies such as skill development, improvements in financial and accounting 
systems, assisting in marketing and distribution, risk assessment and implementing information 
technology systems.  Examples include the Aureos East Africa Fund  (CHF 8.4 million), the GroFin 
East Africa Fund  (CHF 3.6 million), the African Infrastructure Fund  (CHF 12 million), the SEAF Blue 
Waters Growth Fund  (CHF 8.4 million), and the responsAbility Investment Fund  in combination 
with a separate TA fund (start-up money fr om the Swiss Government of CHF 7 million). 
4.2  Commercial establishment of LDC comp anies in Switzerland and other developed 
countries 
4.14.  With its " Swiss Import Promotion Programme " (SIPPO), Switzerland supports exports from 
companies from selected developing and transition countries, including LDCs, to Switzerland and other European countries. It also assists Swiss importers in finding new products and sources.  Besides promoting consumer awareness for such products, Switzerland provides services such as 
advice on product design, business partner search, training in export marketing, and support for 
participation in trade fairs to companies domiciled in developing and transition countries, including LDCs. 
4.3  Financial assistance and export risk Guarantees 
4.15.  Switzerland also provides non-reimbursable financial assistance (grants) to LDCs for the 
construction, rehabilitation or extension of infrastructure in LDCs. The Swiss grant contribution to 
these projects also covers transfer of technology , consulting services for project implementation, 
as well as expertise for institutional (managerial) reforms and sector reforms. A special focus is given to the establishment of public private partnerships for infrastructure services. 
4.16.  The Swiss Export Risk Insurance  (SERV) provides a system of export risk insurances for 
goods and services destined for LDCs. Export risk insurances incentivise and facilitate exports to 
LDCs and ensure a constant technology transfer. 
4.4  Trade and clean technology cooperation 
4.17.  Switzerland focuses on promoting the tran sfer of environmentally sound technologies. A 
comprehensive programme for the establishment of so-called " Cleaner Production Centres " was 
set up. The aim of the centres is to offer private companies and the public sector in LDCs a wide 
range of services including general information, in-plant assessments, workshops, demonstration 
projects, capacity building and support for the preparation of bankable projects. The centres 
provide these services with the support of Swi ss and other developed country Members' technical 
institutes, universities and industries. Two four-year programmes for CHF 1 million each have been 
established in this field with Cambodia and Lao PDR. The Sustainable Trade Initiative provides 
producers in developing countries, including LDCs, with know-how on environmentally and socially sustainable production methods, thereby assisting these producers to increase their market share 
for the main target products, including cotton, cocoa and coffee.  
4.18.  Switzerland also supports programmes in the field of energy ef ficiency, which aim to 
mitigate CO
2 emissions globally and control air pollution locally. These projects are related to the 
traffic and transportation sector and to small and medium-sized industries (e.g. foundry, glass, 
and brick industries). The main objective is to strengthen local partners (capacity building) and to pool international expertise in order to develop locally adequate solutions (technology packages). These pilot programmes are then evaluated, documented and disseminated at the national level. 
In addition, Switzerland supports transfer of know-h ow, training and infrastructure in the field of 
environment monitoring and chemicals management. 
4.19.  Switzerland and the World Bank jointly launched the National Strategy Study Programme  in 
1997.  The Programme has assisted non-Annex I countries of the Kyoto Protocol, which include a 
substantive number of LDCs, in defining their negotiating positions and effectively using the emerging international carbon market incentives for climate change technology transfer.  After a 
series of over 20 national strategy studies for developing and transition countries, Switzerland 
pooled its funds in 2006 with other donors in the Carbon Finance Assist trust  fund managed by the 
World Bank Institute .  This programme supports the implemen tation of the flexible mechanisms IP/C/W/594/Add.5 
 
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  under the UNFCCC through: (i) institutional capa city building; (ii) market development; and 
(iii) outreach. 
4.20.  Strategic partners at the national level are the designated national Authorities.  The 
programme is also closely cooperating with highly specialized consultants, research institutions and the private sector.  More recently, the programme has joined forces with the large city 
grouping C-40 in order to seize CDM ( Clean Development Mechanism ) opportunities in megacities.  
Over 50% of the world's population live in urban areas and are responsible for 75% of global power consumption and emissions.  However, cities are under-represented as project owners in 
the CDM so far. The programme aims at closing this gap. In 2009, Switzerland increased its 
contribution to Carbon Finance Assist by CHF 5 million for the period 2010-2012. 
4.21.  With specific trade promotion programmes, Switzerland promotes the integration of LDCs in 
the global economy.  In the context of the Enhanced Integrated Framework  (EIF), Switzerland has 
joined forces with the CEB UN Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacities  to support LDCs' 
integration into the world trading system.  A first pilot country programme has been launched in Lao PDR, which has been initiated operationally in 2010.  A second country programme in 
Tanzania is under preparation. With its contribution to the Standards and Trade Development 
Facility  (STDF), Switzerland also assists LDCs to enhance their expertise and capacity to 
implement international SPS standards referred to in the SPS Agreement of the WTO. The 
Farmforce Programme  provided smallholder farmers and farm business organisations with cloud-
based technology and training, allowing them to better access information about international 
markets. Data about markets and the international farming business helps small holder farmers to identify new opportunities to integrate their production into value chains. 
4.5  Training 
4.22.  Another important focus of Swiss know-how tr ansfer activities is the teaching of personnel 
from LDCs. Capacity building is an important part of every technology transfer project. In addition, 
Switzerland is carrying out training programmes to specifically benefit LDCs. For example, qualified 
applicants from LDCs regularly attend an intellectual property training course for three months in two successive places: first at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva, then at the " Centre d'Etudes 
Internationales de la Propriété Industrielle " in Strasbourg. 
4.23.  The Swiss Tropical Institute  offers a postgraduate diploma course entitled "Health Care and 
Management in Tropical Countries". More than half of the participants in this course regularly come from LDCs. Their participation is possible thanks to the scholarships offered by the 
Swiss Government. 
4.6  Research activities 4.24.  Another kind of technology transfer, which Switzerland engages in, is collaborating with 
international organizations and/or with LDCs directly in research, particularly in the public health 
domain. SDC promotes research partnerships in a number of LDCs, including support through multi-year programme funding such as the National Centres of Competence in Research North-
South , the research partnerships with developing countries originated by the Swiss National 
Science Foundation , the Swiss Universities of Applied Science , and the Scientific Cooperation Fund  
implemented by the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. 
4.7  Other instruments 
4.25.  In addition to the activities mentioned above, Switzerland has also engaged in capacity 
building and technology transfer to developing and least developed countries according to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its provisions on access and benefit sharing.  
Switzerland also supports the United Nati ons Conference on Trade and Development BioTrade 
Initiative , which promotes trade and investments in products and services derived from the 
sustainable use of biodiversity. 
4.26.  The project "Waste wood to heat and electricity in Tanzania’s southern Highlands", which 
was initiated in 2011 and monitored by the Lausanne Group  (working under the auspices of the IP/C/W/594/Add.5 
 
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  Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ) to evaluate solutions to overcome obstacles to technology 
transfer, was further analysed after its conclusion in 2012.  
4.27.  A systems analysis of the efforts undertaken in this project suggests, among others, the 
following conclusions: (a) for an invention, a new technology or equipment to be successfully 
applied in an LDC, it must be appropriately em bedded in a new, complex environment of market 
dynamics and an institutional framework, taking into consideration financing, local politics and 
socio-cultural aspects. This is regardless of the invention’s degree of complexity. Against this backdrop and given the limits to exploring these aspects in theory through study and survey, a 
small pilot venture can prove useful to initially test the innovation. Only the on-site 
implementation, the real operation in practice, will reveal the hard operational issues and constraints; (b) it is important for North and South entrepreneurs to have personal contact points and jointly assess local complexities. This cooperation should help trigger their entrepreneurial 
spirit, since their interaction then allows them to  together discover further ventures and avenues 
that take the effort forward; (c) the role of a "bridge builder" between the different cultures must 
be looked into in more detail. There is a need for an interface, i.e. individuals, entities or public 
private partnerships that have a good and sufficien t understanding of both cultures and maintain a 
trusted network of contacts in both cultures, to facilitate communication and interaction between the operators/entrepreneurs in both cultures. This helps early detection and clearing up of 
misunderstandings. Such bridge building seems to be done best by teams of people from both 
cultures who need to work and build on a strong and trusted personal relationship. 
5  DOMAINS OF SWISS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES 5.1.  Switzerland promotes technology transfer in  domains that are of high importance to LDCs. 
Specifically, the Swiss Government fosters technology transfer to LDCs in the fields of public 
health, water supply and sanitation, agriculture, food industry, machine industry, textiles, chemical industry, clean energy and eco-technology and rele vant intellectual property protection.  For an 
overview of ongoing projects, see Annexes I and II. 
5.2.  Switzerland also promotes and incentivises technology transfer to LDCs in domains in which it 
has special expertise. These include the machine industry, as well as the manufacturing of 
precision instruments and chemical products. The promotion of transfer of environmentally sound 
technologies to LDCs is another domain in which Switzerland is active. Here, the goal is to transfer both knowledge and methods that help meet en vironmental standards. These programmes focus 
particularly on technology transfer in the meta l, paper, cement, food and textile industries.  
Furthermore, Switzerland supports the transfer of technologies in the field of renewable energies 
through its REPIC platform. 
5.3.  In the public health sector, the Swiss Go vernment encourages technology transfer between 
Switzerland and other LDCs in various ways, including research funding, consulting and assistance.  
Switzerland spends approximately CHF 8 million annually on technology transfer to Mozambique, particularly in the domains of public health and sustainable water supply. 
5.4.  Finally, Switzerland offers LDCs assistance in preparing and enforcing laws on the protection 
of intellectual property rights.  It also supports the LDCs' domestic offices executing these tasks.  
The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property offers state-of-the-art searches free of charge for LDCs, and, by doing so, encourages innovative enterprises and industries in LDCs to use the 
patent system, to benefit from the information which can be gathered through this system, as well 
as to protect their own inventions, thereby encouraging the building of technological capacity in LDCs.  Switzerland is also actively involved in the exchange of information regarding the protection 
and administration of intellectual property rights with LDCs. 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS 6.1.  In conclusion, Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to actively engage in the provision of 
incentives for an enhanced technology transfer to LDCs and is working on continuously improving 
its activities and reporting in this regard. The continued dialogue between developed country and LDC Members will contribute to further improving developed countries' annual reports, both in terms of format and content. In parallel, discussions must continue to explore new and alternative 
ways of more effectively incentivising enterprises to transfer suitable technology and know-how to IP/C/W/594/Add.5 
 
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  LDCs, always keeping in mind the wider context and framework conditions of governmental and 
private engagements aimed at building local capa city and fostering sustainable development in 
LDCs. 
6.2.  As stated in earlier reports, government incentives to provide technology transfer to third 
countries are only one of many factors relevant for companies' strategic decisions regarding where 
to direct their foreign investments and transfer their innovative technology. Overall conditions in 
LDCs are often unfavourable to foreign enterprises th at, in principle, would have the capability and 
the willingness to transfer their technology and know-how. LDCs thus need to persistently work 
towards an enabling environment which attracts foreign investment and technology transfer.  
Some of the decisive factors that contribute to attracting technology are favourable overall macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions, a safe legal and regulatory framework (including an accountable judicial system, adequate protection of intellectual property rights and a well-
functioning government administration) and market potential at the national level. 
_______________ 
  
  IP/C/W/594/Add.5  
 
- 9 - ANNEX I1 
GLOBAL PROJECTS2 
(The activities supported by the Swiss Government embrace projec ts at the bilateral, regional, interregional and global levels. ) 
 
Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer Duration Mechanism 
(Agencies/ 
Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Budget for 
2012, unless 
otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Farmforce Various Mobile technologies 
and business management capacities for small farmers allowing better integration into global value chains. 2016-2017 Syngenta Foundation for 
Sustainable Development CHF 2,000,000 
over project duration info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch   
Sustainable Trade 
Initiative Various Increased productivity 
and fair trade 
practices for 
producers of certain 
raw materials (i.a. 
cotton, cocoa, coffee) 
allowing better 
integration into global 
value chains. 2013-2016 Initiateif Duurzame Handel 
(IDH) CHF 7,500,000 
over project 
duration info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch   
Innovative Retail 
Payments Facility Various Integrate Mobile 
Money Solutions into the business models of MFIs and banks. 2012-2015 Cooperation between IFC and 
mobile phone companies and MFIs and banks. CHF 4,600,000 
over project duration info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Africa Credit 
Bureau 
Programme; 
SECO-IFC/PEP 
Access to Finance 
Programme Various, 
including 
Burundi, 
Sierra Leone, 
Tanzania, 
Zambia Setting up of a 
privately managed 
Credit Bureau. 2012-2016 IFC US$6m over 
project duration info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Various Global SPS measures 2009-2013 Standards and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF)  CHF 1,400,000 
over project duration info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
                                               
1 In English only. 
2 These projects cover both developing countries and LDCs . An estimated 20% of the amounts are allocated in LDCs.  
  IP/C/W/594/Add.5  
 
- 10 - Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer Duration Mechanism 
(Agencies/ 
Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Budget for 
2012, unless 
otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Swiss Import 
Promotion 
Programme 
SIPPO Global, incl.  
Nepal, Lao 
PDR, 
Cambodia Trade know-how 2012-2015 OSEC, Swiss Board for Trade 
Promotion CHF 6,000,000  info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
REPIC - Swiss 
Platform for 
Renewable Energy Promotion in International Cooperation  Global, incl. 
Madagascar, 
Senegal, Mali Renewable energy, 
energy efficiency: 
wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydropower energy (http://www.repic.ch/
repic-en/ ) 2011-2013 REPIC - Swiss platform for 
Renewable Energy Promotion 
in International Cooperation  CHF 5,600,000 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch 
 
 
Resource Efficient 
and Cleaner 
Production 
Programme 
(UNIDO) Global, 
including 
Cambodia, Lao 
PDR Industry/ 
environment 
Cleaner production: 
identification and 
implementation of 
environmentally 
sound technologies. 2011-2015 Training of consultants, 
company assessments, 
together with UNIDO, Swiss 
Federal Institute of 
Technology and Material 
Testing EMPA. CHF 3,400,000 
per year info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch 
 
 
Biotrade Facilitation Programme,  Phase II Global, 
including Uganda Biodiversity, 
promotion of biotrade products under sustainable management plans. 2009-2013 UNCTAD; consultancy US$2,500,000 
over project duration  info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Various Global, with 
focus on sub-
Saharan Africa CDM capacity building 
CDM methodologies; 
institutional capacity 
of Designated 
National Authorities. 2010-2012  World Bank (CF Assist); 
consultancy; knowledge 
transfer in host country 
committee; CDM fairs. CHF 5,000,000 
over project 
duration 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Promotion of 
Human Capacities in Trade Law and Policy  Global Trade law and policy 
 2010-2013 WTI Institute, University of 
Bern CHF 5,700,000 
over project duration  info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
  
  IP/C/W/594/Add.5  
 
- 11 - Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer Duration Mechanism 
(Agencies/ 
Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Budget for 
2012, unless 
otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Various Sub-Saharan 
Africa  Infrastructure 
projects (e.g. 
renewable energy, 
irrigation, 
transportation)  2002 – open PIDG – Emerging Africa 
Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) n/a 
(total 
investments 
from SECO so 
far US$22m) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
Various Global  Local capital market 
development infrastructure projects (e.g. housing, transportation)  2006 - open PIDG – GuarantCo  n/a  
(total investments from SECO so far US$35m) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch 
 
Various Africa  Greenfield 
infrastructure project 
development (i.e. 
renewable energy, 
irrigation, transport)  2005 – open  PIDG – InfraCo Africa  n/a  
(total 
investments 
from SECO so 
far US$23m) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Innovative 
technologies affordable by the poor Various 
countries (for details see website under Contact Information) Low-cost irrigation 
systems for small farmers. 2009-2013 
(CHF 4,880,000 for four years) Implementation by 
International Development Enterprises (IDE) Antenna Technologies, Geneva CHF 1,200,000 
(estimated) http://www.deza. admin.ch/en/Ho
me/Projects/Selected_projects/In
novative_technologies_affordable
_to_the_poor  
 
water.initiatives@deza.admin.ch  
 
 
IRRC Irrigated 
Rice Research 
Consortium Various Asian 
countries (for 
details see 
website under 
Contact 
Information) Agriculture cross-
country learning and 
the diffusion of new 
rice production 
technologies in Asia. 
Irrigation research 
and extension. 2009-2013 Irrigated Rice Research 
Consortium (regional 
platform) CHF 650,000 
 http://www.deza. admin.ch/en/Ho
me/Projects/Selected_projects/M
ore_Rice_with_less_Water_A_suc
cess_of_the_Irrigated_Rice_Rese
arch_Consortium  
 
 
 
   
  IP/C/W/594/Add.5  
 
- 12 - SINGLE COUNTRIES/BILATERAL PROJECTS 
 
Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer Duration Mechanism 
(Agencies/ 
Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Budget for 2012, 
unless 
otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Sustainable 
Solutions for the Delivery of Safe Drinking Water DASCOH Bangladesh Water and sanitation 
(public health) Arsenic mitigation in water; arsenic-free water harvesting technologies; prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. 2009-2012  Local adaptation of 
technologies with Skat consulting; test kits with Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). Joint research with the University of Bern. CHF 816,898 
(CHF 3,550,000 for four years) http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/bangladesh
/en/Home/Local_Governance/DA
SCOH  
 
Water and 
Sanitation 
Programme WSP 
Bangladesh Bangladesh Water and sanitation 
Improvement of 
sustainable water 
supply and sanitation, 
especially to the poor 
both in rural and 
urban areas. 2009-2012 World Bank supports reform 
of water supply, hygiene 
and sanitation services. CHF 418,840  
(CHF 2,050,000 
for four years) http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/bangladesh
/en/Home/Local_Governance/WS
P 
 
Water, Sanitation 
and Hygiene (WASH) in Hard to Reach Areas Bangladesh Water and sanitation 
(public health) Improved access to adequate WATSAN facilities for most vulnerable population living in hard to reach areas by providing innovative and socially adapted solutions. 2011-2015 
(CHF 6,000,000 for four years) Development and promotion 
of context specific, replicable and user friendly models of WATSAN practices. Supported by Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP) of the World Bank.  CHF 1,315,000 http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/bangladesh
/en/Home/Local_Governance/WA
SH 
 
Social Safety Net 
Transfer 
Modalities Bangladesh The aim of the Social 
Safety Net Transfer 
Modalities action -
research project is to 
provide evidence 
which can be used to 
streamline the social 
safety net system in 
Bangladesh for poor 
and ultra-poor 
beneficiaries. Nov 2012- 
Dec 2013 World Food Programme and 
IFPRI Bangladesh CHF 1,1700,000  http://www.ddc.admin.ch/fr/Accu
eil/Projets/Project_Detail?project
dbID=218003#form2  
  
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- 13 - Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer Duration Mechanism 
(Agencies/ 
Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Budget for 2012, 
unless 
otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Training water- 
sanitation Burkina Faso Drinking water and 
sanitation Technology and know-how in waste water management; policy 
advice. 2009-open Training courses in 
Lausanne and on-site by Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne. CHF 138,000 info@deza.admin.ch  
 
 
WTO Accession 
support (phase 
III) 
 Lao PDR Facilitate and 
accelerate Lao PDR's 
accession to the WTO 
through the provision 
of tailor-made policy  
advice. 2010-2013 IDEAS Centre Geneva CHF 650,000 over 
project duration 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Enhancing 
sustainable tourism, clean production and export capacity in Lao PDR Lao PDR Trade capacity 
building Product quality assurance; backward linkages  2010-2014 UN Cluster on Trade and 
Productive Capacity (UNIDO, ILO, ITC, UNCTAD, UNOPS) US$4,040,000 
over project duration  info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
  
Strengthening 
the IPR system of 
Lao PDR and 
bringing in line 
with WTO Lao PDR Intellectual Property 
Project 
 2010-2013 Swiss Federal Institute of 
Intellectual Property, Bern, 
Switzerland CHF 250,000 over 
project duration 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
WASH-Water and 
Sanitation Lao PDR The objective is to 
improve the clean water supply and sanitation practices in 
villages and health 
facilities, combining technical aspects with community consultation and dialogue and training. 2011-2013 
(total budget CHF 2,100,000) Benefiting from experiences 
of Save the Children CHF 855,000 http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/mekong/en
/Home/Laos/Laos_Program  
(select project) 
Programme 
d'appui au 
développe-ment 
rural SAHA Madagascar Rural development 
Participatory 
bottom-up approach; 
know-how transfer, 
capacity building. 2010-2012 Support to civil society 
organisations and 
municipalities through NGO 
Inter-cooperation, 
Switzerland. CHF 1,600,000 http://www.helvetas.ch/fr/nos_ac
tivites/pays_d_engagement/mad
agascar.cfm  
  
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- 14 - Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer Duration Mechanism 
(Agencies/ 
Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Budget for 2012, 
unless 
otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Support to the 
health sector Mozambique Health 
Health systems' strengthening Health service delivery programmes 2012-2013 Expertise and training 
courses by the Swiss Tropical Institute, Basle; consultancy CHF 4,800,000 http://www.deza.admin.ch/de/Ho
me/Projekte/Project_Detail?proje
ctdbID=219207#form2  
 
Health Promotion 
in the province of 
Cabo Delgado Mozambique The health status of 
men and women is 
improved through the 
increased utilization of 
health services as a 
consequence of better 
health-related 
knowledge in the 
communities. 2010-2014 Synergies with other 
projects and actors CHF 1,200,000 info@deza.admin.ch  
 
 
Small Piped 
Water Systems Cabo Delgado Mozambique Increase effective and 
efficient water delivery and sanitation services through capacity building of local institutions. 2011-2013 
(CHF 800,000 for two years) Increase effective and 
efficient water delivery and sanitation services through capacity building of local institutions. CHF 300,000 info@deza.admin.ch  
  
HortiSempre Mozambique HortiSempre aims at 
addressing the key 
bottlenecks (with a 
special focus on 
promoting micro-
irrigation solutions) in 
the production of 
existing locally grown 
horticultural products 
with the objective to 
increase farmers’ 
revenue. 2013-2016 
(CHF 
5,072,000 for 
three years) Consortium 
Swisscontact/GFA CHF 232,000 http://www.deza.admin.ch/de/Ho
me/Projekte/Project_Detail?proje
ctdbID=219223#form2  
  
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- 15 - Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer Duration Mechanism 
(Agencies/ 
Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Budget for 2012, 
unless 
otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
WSP Water and 
Sanitation 
Programme Niger The driver of the WSP 
is to support the 
government's scale-up 
improved WSS 
services and hygiene 
programmes for poor 
people. It achieves 
this by providing 
technical assistance, 
capacity building, and 
leveraging knowledge 
and partnerships 
through its network. 2012-2015  CHF 240,000 info@deza.admin.ch  
 
Health Sector 
Reform Support Programme (HSRSP) Tanzania Health 
Reform of health system in city of Dar es Salaam;  prevention of tropical diseases (malaria). 2012-2015 Expertise and training 
courses by the Swiss Tropical Institute, Basle; consultancy CHF 4,000,000 http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/e
n/Welcome_to_the_Swiss_Cooper
ation_Office_in_Tanzania/Health_
and_Water  
Ifakara Research 
Institute Tanzania Improvement of 
access to malaria-
related health 
research, focus on 
mother and child. 2009-2013 
(CHF 
2,060,000 for 
4 years) Expertise by the Swiss 
Tropical Institute Basle 
Switzerland CHF 375,000 http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/e
n/Welcome_to_the_Swiss_Cooper
ation_Office_in_Tanzania/Health_
and_Water  
WASH Water 
Sanitation and Hygiene Tanzania Promotion of health, 
create greater synergies between 
water and health. 2011-2014 
(CHF 4,950,000 for 
3 years) UNICEF/UNDAP CHF 1,000,000 http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/  
 
  
  IP/C/W/594/Add.5  
 
- 16 - ANNEX II  
 
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LDCS 
 
Several research programmes and funds were available until 2012 for research partnerships between Switzerland and developing co untries, including LDCs: 
 
 "NCCR North-South"  is one of the National Centres of Competence in Research  of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).  The NCCR 
North-South supports research in the field of sustainable developm ent. Research projects of the NCCR North-South are implemente d in 
collaboration with Swiss scientific institutions and partner institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  The SDC finances the partners in 
developing and transition countries. 
 The SNSF-SDC programme "Research Partnerships with Developing Countries " provides grants for partnership research projects between a 
Swiss university and a research institution from a developing country. 
 The programme  "Promotion of Research Partnerships be tween Developing and Transition Countries and the Swiss Universities of 
Applied Sciences " supports initiatives of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences in their efforts to advance applied research and developmen t 
by way of partnerships with developing or transition countries. 
 The "Scientific Cooperation Fund EPFL-SDC " provides grants for partnership research projects  between one of the EPFL's research units and a 
research institution from a developing country.  
SDC used to invest approximately CHF 6 million per year in this  type of international scientific cooperation with developing co untries. 
 
Starting from 2013, the Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development – r4d ( http://www.r4d.ch ) – will be operating with SNSF.  The 
new r4d puts together and replaces the four aforementioned deve lopment research funds. R4d is endowed with CHF 97.6 million ove r 2013-2022.  Its aim is 
to fund research on global challenges likely to involve techno logy transfer as a partnership between Swiss researchers and deve loping country researchers, 
including those from LDCs.  
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