IP/C/W/602/Add.4  
 
21 October 2014  
(14-6046)  Page: 1/21  
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 10 October 2014 , from the delegation of Switzerland is being 
circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decisi on on the Implementation of Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement (IP/C/28).  
_______________ 
  
1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1. In paragraph 11.2 of the Decision on Impl ementation-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 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 the Decision of the Council for TRIPS into account, 
Switzerland herewith submits its second update to the 2012 report (IP/C/W/580/Add.4 of 
24 October 2012; the first update of the latter report was IP/C/W/594/Add.5 of 7 October 2013). 
The report reflects all latest relevant developments in Switzerland. 
1.3. In 2012, Switzerland reviewed the content and fo rmat of its reports from previous years, 
taking into account the comments made by LDCs 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 reporting format (cf. 
IP/C/W/561 of 6 October 2011) has since been taken into consideration for the drafting of Annex 
I, to the extent possible. The table in Annex I in cludes 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), 
Disbursements/Budget for 2013 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 IP/C/W/602/Add.4 
 
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  of technology transfer, as per a UN definition: (i) physical objects or equipment; (ii) skills and 
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, official  development assistance (ODA; cf. para. 8 below), 
equity investment, or other instruments such as commercial lending, are all important channels through which technology transfer is financed. The present report is focused on technology 
transfer under ODA financing. Switzerland provides incentives in numerous sectors contributing to 
sustainable development in LDCs and believes that this assistance 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 mainly two 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 Coop eration (SDC) and the State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO). They are jointly respon sible for the formulation and implementation of 
the Swiss international development cooperation policy. While the SDC assumes the overall 
coordination function in matters pertaining to development cooperation and humanitarian aid, SECO is the competent centre for economic development and the integration of developing 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 to make a positive contribution 
through its research programmes 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 a larger programme in collaboration with the SDC focused on 
research partnerships with developing countries , encompassing 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 regarding technology transfer aim to increase the flow 
of technology to LDCs and developing countries 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 b ilateral, 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 ODA framework. The projects and programmes under Swiss ODA include bilateral, 
bilateral-multilateral and multilateral initiatives and are 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 as well as other Members' enterprises and institutions to 
provide their knowledge and technology in as sisting 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 Global Environment Facility (GEF), or the IP/C/W/602/Add.4 
 
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  International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). International research 
institutions, such as numerous specialized centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) are also supported by Switzerland. 
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 at mobilizing private capital, 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 facilitate direct investments or joint ventures which transfer 
know-how and technology. Concerning trade-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 high 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 economic and trade-related cooperation is the 
transfer of modern technology and of know-how to  recipient countries in order to better enable 
them to upgrade their production facilities to the requirements of worl d markets and to become 
more competitive in the global economy. The promotion of investment and of cooperation 
agreements between the private sectors in the Nort h, 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-Sector Inve stments in Least-developed Countries 
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 104 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 
incentivized 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 it 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$ or EUR-denominated IP/C/W/602/Add.4 
 
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  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 Africa,  which develops projects by 
taking on the high costs and risks of early stag e 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 wholly implemented 
by the commercial private sector. Overall, 77 projec ts 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 over 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 
recruited on the basis of their existing, approp riate qualifications, but all of whom are also 
provided with on the job training. 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 ), 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 so me exceptional cases, Technical Assistance (TA) 
grants have been accessed to provide technology-r elated training to PIDG supported projects. In 
particular, the Chanyanya projec t developed and implemented by InfraCo Africa  in Zambia has 
accessed US$ 230,000 of TA funding to provide traini ng 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. 
4.6. 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. 
4.7. Moreover, Switzerland supports numerous initiatives 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 . In South-East Asia, SECO supports the IFC-led (International Finance 
Corporation) Mekong Private Sector Development Facility  ( M P D F ) ,  w h i c h  c o v e r s  L a o  P . D . R .  a n d  
Cambodia. In terms of knowledge transfer, the MPDF has supported efforts to set up credit 
bureaus both in Lao P.D.R. and Cambodia and he lped to establish mobile phone banking schemes 
in Cambodia. Other examples in South-East As ia 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 Lao P.D.R., in its efforts to comply with tax and corporate governance obligations. In 
Africa, SECO has been supporting Tanzania to se t up a credit bureau. The programme will now be 
expanded to Sierra Leone, Burundi, 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 now 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 supports Benin, Mozambique and Zambia. 
4.8. Finally, the Swiss Government through the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets  
(SIFEM AG) also provides long-term financing for small and medium-sized enterprises in LDCs through private equity fund investments. These fu nds provide equity investments for SMEs in the 
target countries and combine the investment with a broad range of technical assistance to the 
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 IP/C/W/602/Add.4 
 
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  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 
4.9. 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 
4.10.  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. 
4.11.  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 
4.12.  Switzerland focuses on promoting the transfer 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 P.D.R.. 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.  
4.13.  Switzerland also supports programmes in the field of energy efficiency, which aim at 
mitigating CO
2 emissions globally and controlling 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. 
4.14.  Switzerland and the World Bank jointly launched the National Strategy Study Programme  in 
1997. The Programme has assisted non-Annex I count ries of the Kyoto Protocol, which includes 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 implementation of the flexible mechanisms 
under the UNFCCC through (i) institutional capaci ty building; (ii) market development; and 
(iii) outreach. 
4.15.  Strategic partners at the national level are the designated national Authorities. The 
programme is also closely cooperating with highly specialized consultants, research institutions IP/C/W/602/Add.4 
 
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  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 per cent of the world's population live in urban areas and are responsible for 75 per cent of global power consumption and emissions. Howe ver, cities are under-represented as project 
owners in the CDM so far. The prog ramme aims at closing this gap. 
4.16.  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 P.D.R., 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 WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). The Farmforce programme  provided 
smallholder farmers and farm business organizati ons 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 4.17.  The Swiss Tropical Institute, now Swiss Tropical and Public Health 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 
4.18.  Another kind of technology transfer, which Switzerland engages in, is collaborating with 
international organisations and/or with LDCs directly in research, particularly in the public health and cross-cutting issues in the agriculture 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 4.19.  In addition to the activities mentioned above, Switzerland has also engaged in capacity 
building and technology transfer in favour of developing and least developed countries, pursuant to 
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its provisions on access and benefit sharing. Switzerland also supports the BioTrade Initiative  of the United Nations Conference on Trade and 
Development, which provides for the promotion of trade and investments in products and services 
derived from the sustainable use of biodiversity. 
5  DOMAINS OF SWISS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES 5.1. Switzerland promotes technology transfer in domains that are of high importance to the 
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 IP protection. For an overview of ongoing 
projects, see Annexes I and II. 
5.2. Switzerland also promotes and incentivizes 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. IP/C/W/602/Add.4 
 
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  Furthermore, Switzerland supports the transfer of technologies in the field of renewable energies, 
for example through its REPIC platform. 
5.3. The Swiss Government encourages technology transfer between Switzerland and LDCs in 
various ways including research funding, consulting and assistance, 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 LDC 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 countries and 
LDCs 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 incentivizing enterprises to transfer suitable technology and know-how to LDCs, always keeping in mind the wider context and fr amework conditions of governmental and private 
engagements aimed at building local capacity 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/602/Add.4  
 
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ANNEX I1 
SWISS INCENTIVES FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN LDCS BY COUNTRY AN D PROJECT, DIVIDED INTO REGIONS 
Comment: The activities supported by the Swiss Government embrace projects  at the bilateral, regional, interregional and global levels. 
 
Global projects2 
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Sustainable Trade Initiative  
  
Country Various 
Field of Technology Transfer Increased productivity and fair trade prac tices for producers of certain raw material s (i.a. cotton, cocoa, coffee) allowing be tter 
integration into global value chains 
Duration 2013-2016 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Initiateif Duurzame Handel (IDH) 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 7,500,000 over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch 
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Innovative Retail Payments Facility 
Country Various 
Field of Technology Transfer Integrate Mobile Money Solutions into the business models of MFIs and banks. 
Duration 2012-2015 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Cooperation between IFC and mobile phone companies and MFIs and banks 
                                               
1 In English only. 
2 These projects cover both developing countries and LDCs. An  estimated 20 per cent of the amounts are allocated in LDCs.  
  IP/C/W/602/Add.4  
 
- 9 - Title of Project or Programme Innovative Retail Payments Facility 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 4,600,000 over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Africa Credit Bureau Programme; SECO-IFC/PEP Access to Finance Programme  
Country Various, including Burundi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia 
Field of Technology Transfer Setting up of a privatel y managed Credit Bureau. 
Duration 2012-2016 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) IFC 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated US$6m over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Various  
Country Global 
Field of Technology Transfer SPS measures 
Duration 2009-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Standards and Trade Develo pment Facility (STDF) 
 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 1,400,000 over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Swiss Import Promotion Programme SIPPO  
Country Global, including Nepa l, Lao P.D.R. and Cambodia 
Field of Technology Transfer Trade know-how 
Duration 2012-2015 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing OSEC, Swiss Board for Trade Promotion  
  IP/C/W/602/Add.4  
 
- 10 - Title of Project or Programme  Swiss Import Promotion Programme SIPPO  
Technology Transfer) 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 6,000,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  REPIC - Swiss Platform for Renewable Energy  Promotion in International Cooperation 
 
Country Global, including Madagascar, Senegal and Mali 
Field of Technology Transfer Renewable energy, energy efficiency: wind, sola r, biomass, geothermal, hydropower energy 
http://www.repic.ch  
Duration 2011-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) REPIC - Swiss platform for Renewable Energy Promotion in International Cooperation 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 5,600,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Programme (UNIDO)  
Country Global, including Cambodia and Lao P.D.R. 
Field of Technology Transfer Industry / environment 
Cleaner production: identification and implementation of environmentally sound technologies 
Duration 2011-2015 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Training of consultants, company assessments, together with UN IDO, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Material Testing 
EMPA. 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 3,400,000 per year 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
  
  IP/C/W/602/Add.4  
 
- 11 - Title of Project or Programme  Biotrade Facilitation Programme, Phase II  
Country Global, including Uganda 
Field of Technology Transfer Biodiversity, promotion of biotrade prod ucts under sustainable management plans 
Duration 2009-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) UNCTAD; consultancy 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated US$2,500,000 over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Promotion of Human Capacities in Trade Law and Policy  
Country Global 
Field of Technology Transfer Trade law and policy 
Duration 2010-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) WTI Institute, University of Bern 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 5,700,000 over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Various  
Country Sub-Saharan Africa 
Field of Technology Transfer Infrastructure projects (e.g. renewable energy, irrigation and transportation) 
Duration 2002 – open 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) PIDG – Emerging Africa In frastructure Fund (EAIF) 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated n/a 
(total investments from SECO so far US$22m) 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
  
  IP/C/W/602/Add.4  
 
- 12 - Title of Project or Programme Various 
Country Global 
Field of Technology Transfer Local capital market development 
Infrastructure projects (e.g. housing, transportation) 
Duration 2006 - open 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) PIDG – GuarantCo 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated n/a  
(total investments from SECO so far US$35m) 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Various 
Country Africa 
Field of Technology Transfer Greenfield infrastructure project development (i .e. renewable energy, irrigation, transport) 
Duration 2005 – open 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) PIDG – InfraCo Africa  
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated n/a  
(total investments from SECO so far US$23m) 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Innovative technologies affordable by the poor 
Country Various countries  
Field of Technology Transfer Low-cost irrigation systems for small farmers 
Duration 2009-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) International Development Enterprises (IDE) and Antenna Technologies 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 1,200,000 (estimated) (CHF 4,880,000 for four years 
Contact Information  http://www.deza.admin.ch/en/ Home/Projects/Selected_projects/Innovati ve_technologies_affordable_to_the_poor  
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- 13 - Title of Project or Programme Innovative technologies affordable by the poor 
(email or website wi th contact details)  
water.initiatives@deza.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) 
Country Global 
Field of Technology Transfer Pharmaceutical Research and Deve lopment (R&D) of antimalarials. 
Duration 2012-2016 
 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) 
 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 1,600,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/de/Home/Projekte/Project_Detail?projectdbID=218062#form2  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Scaling-up of productive water (micro-irrigation) and safe water 
Country Global 
Field of Technology Transfer This programme will reach 300,000 farmers with improved micro-irrigation technologies and three million poor households with 
safe water through chlorination. 
Duration 2009-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) International Development Enterprises (IDE) 
 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 2,250,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/fr/Accueil/Projets/Project_Detail?projectdbID=230275#form2  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme "Swiss Bluetec Bridge" 
Country Global 
Field of Technology Transfer Global Technological innovations and applicat ion of nanotechnologies for water treatment 
Duration 2012-2017  
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- 14 - Title of Project or Programme "Swiss Bluetec Bridge" 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Swiss SME start ups 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 810,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/fr/Accueil/Projets/Project_Detail?projectdbID=212381#form2 
 
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Low-Cost High-Tech Solutions for Better Water Resources Management  
Country Global 
Field of Technology Transfer Development of a low-cost, mobile phone- based communication technology system to  improve water management at community 
and sub-basin level 
Duration 2011-2014 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) iMoMo consortium 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 600,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/fr/Accueil/Projets/Project_Detail?projectdbID=230170#form2  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Promoting off-farm employment and income through climate responsive building material production 
Country Regional/ Great Lakes 
Field of Technology Transfer Promote innovative climate responsive building material technologies. 
Duration 2012-2015 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) SKAT 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 1,570,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/fr/Accueil/Projets/Project_Detail?projectdbID=216007#form2  
 
   
  
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- 15 - Title of Project or Programme Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics FIND 
Country Global 
Field of Technology Transfer Development and early implementation of innovative diagnostic tests 
Duration 2013-2016 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics FIND 
 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 800,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/fr/Accueil/Projets/Project_Detail?projectdbID=224983#form2  
 
Single Countries/Bilateral Projects 
 
Title of Project or Programme Sustainable Solutions for the Delivery  of Safe Drinking Water DASCOH 
Country Bangladesh 
Field of Technology Transfer Delivery of safe drinking water, improved sanitation facilities 
Duration 2013-2015 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) 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. 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 840,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/fr/Accueil/Projets/Project_Detail?projectdbID=219226#form2  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme  Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Hard to Reach Areas  
Country Bangladesh 
Field of Technology Transfer Water and sanitation (public health) Improved access to adequate WATSAN facilities for most vuln erable population living in har d 
to reach areas by providing innovative and socially adapted solutions 
Duration 2011-2015 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Development and promotion of context specific, replicable and us er friendly models of WATSAN practices. Water Aid Bangladesh 
(international NGO) and NGO Forum (national NGO)  
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- 16 - Title of Project or Programme  Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Hard to Reach Areas  
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 2,020,000 
(CHF 6,000,000 for four years) 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.swiss-cooperation.admin.ch/b angladesh/en/Home/Local_Governance/WASH  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Social Safety Net Transfer Modalities  
Country Bangladesh 
Field of Technology Transfer The aim of the Social Safety Ne t Transfer Modalities action -research project is to provide evidence which can be used to 
streamline the social safety net system in Bang ladesh for poor and ultra-poor beneficiaries. 
Duration November 2012-December 2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) World Food Programme and IFPRI Bangladesh 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 170,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.ddc.admin.ch/fr/Accueil/Projet s/Project_Detail?projectdbID=218003#form2  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme WTO Accession support (phase III) 
 
Country Lao P.D.R 
Field of Technology Transfer Facilitate and accelerate Lao P.D.R.'s accession to the WTO through the provision of tailor-made policy  
advice 
Duration 2010-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) IDEAS Centre Geneva 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 650,000 over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
  
 
   
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- 17 - Title of Project or Programme Enhancing sustainable tourism, clean production and export capacity in Lao P.D.R. 
Country Lao P.D.R. 
Field of Technology Transfer Trade capacity building 
Product quality assurance; backward linkages  
Duration 2010-2014 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) UN Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity (UNIDO, ILO, ITC, UNCTAD, UNOPS) 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated US$4,040,000 over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Strengthening the IPR system of Lao P.D.R. and bringing in line with WTO  
Country Lao P.D.R. 
Field of Technology Transfer Intellectual Property Project 
Duration 2010-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, Bern, Switzerland 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 250,000 over project duration 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Small Piped Water Systems Cabo Delgado  
Country Mozambique 
Field of Technology Transfer Increase effective and efficient water deli very and sanitation services through capacity building of local institutions. 
Duration 2011-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Increase effective and efficient water deli very and sanitation services through capacity building of local institutions. 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 200,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) info@deza.admin.ch  
  
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- 18 -  
Title of Project or Programme HortiSempre  
Country Mozambique 
Field of Technology Transfer Special focus on promoting micro-irrigation solutions in the production of existing locally grown horticultural products.  
Duration 2013-2016 
 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Consortium Swisscontact/GFA 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 1,380,000 
(CHF 5,072,000 for three years) 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/de/Home/Projekte/Project_Detail?projectdbID=219223#form2  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Ifakara Research Institute 
Country Tanzania 
Field of Technology Transfer Improvement of access to malaria-related heal th research, focus on mother and child. 
Duration 2009-2013  
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Expertise by the Swiss Tropical Institute Basle Switzerland 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 110,000 
(CHF 2,060,000 for 4 years) 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.swiss-cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/en/Welcome_to_ the_Swiss_Cooperation_Office_i n_Tanzania/Health_and_Water  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Health research for policy making: the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI)  
Country Tanzania 
Field of Technology Transfer Improvement of health delivery syst ems and generation of evidence fo r health planning and management. 
Duration 2013-2018 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Expertise by international researchers and research institutions 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 247,000 
(CHF 3,350,000 for the 5 years period)  
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- 19 - Title of Project or Programme Health research for policy making: the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI)  
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.deza.admin.ch/fr/Accueil/Projets/Project_Detail?projectdbID=224961#form2  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Support to St. Francis Hospital in Ifakara  
Country Tanzania 
Field of Technology Transfer Health services and management  improvement: practical trai ning and clinical research. 
Duration 2010-2016 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Supported by different Swiss in stitutions (mainly Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development (NFSD), Swiss TPH and 
SolidarMed) 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 1,870,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/en/Welcome_to_the_Swiss_Cooper ation_Office_in_Tanzania/ressources/resource_en_224358.pdf  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Transforming the Charcoal Sector  
Country Tanzania 
Field of Technology Transfer Energy sector: research and advocacy work facilitating the introduction of more biomass energy -friendly policies. 
Duration 2012-2014 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing 
Technology Transfer) Federal Laboratories for Material s Science and Technology (EMPA) 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 110,000 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/en/Welcome_to_the_Swiss_Cooper ation_Office_in_Tanzania/ressources/resource_en_215830.pdf  
 
 
Title of Project or Programme Secondment to UNHCR (Renewable Energy Specialist)  
Country Chad 
Field of Technology Transfer Contribute to identifying, developing and integrating technologies and strategies to reduce the negative im pact of the use of 
traditional domestic energy resources. 
Duration 2012-2013 
Mechanism (Agencies/Institution providing UNHCR  
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- 20 - Title of Project or Programme Secondment to UNHCR (Renewable Energy Specialist)  
Technology Transfer) 
Budget for 2013, unless otherwise indicated CHF 92,193 
Contact Information  
(email or website wi th contact details) deza@eda.admin.ch  
 
 
 
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- 21 - ANNEX II1 
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LDCS 
Several research programmes and funds were available until 2013 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 development. Research projects of the NCCR North-South are implemented in c ollaboration with 
Swiss scientific institutions and partner institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The SDC finances the partners in deve loping 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 Count ries 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 9 million per year in this  type of international scientific cooperation with developing co untries. 
 
These four aforementioned development research funds are being in tegrated into the new Swiss Programme for Research on Global I ssues for Development – 
r4d programme ( http://www.r4d.ch ) –which is being implemented jointly with SNSF. The first r4d projects were approved in 2013. R4d is endowed with CHF 
97.6m over 2013-2022. Its aim is to fund research on global chal lenges likely to involve technology transfer as a partnership b etween Swiss researchers and 
developing countries' researchers, including those from LDCs.  
 
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1 In English only.