IP/C/R/TC/CHE/2  
 
20 September 2021  
(21-6994) Page: 1/16 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects  of 
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES:  
INFORMATION FROM MEMBERS  
SWITZERLAND  
The following communication, dated 14 September 2021 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland . 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION  
1.  Based on its legal mandate, the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (hereafter "IPI") 
takes part in technical cooperation in the area of intellectual property (IP). This cooperation takes 
place either independently or in collaboration with oth er national and international institutions. 
Technical Cooperation in the field of IP facilitates a more efficient operation of the competent IP 
authorities in the partner countries. This can be achieved, for example, through the training of 
relevant employ ees, or the assistance in drafting and implementing legislation.  
2.  Reforms in the area of IP are designed to create an environment that is more conducive to 
business to improve the socioeconomic situation in project countries. This involves, in particular:  
a. boosting the investment climate, promoting access to new sectors and markets, fostering 
creative industries, and promoting research and innovation;  
b. developing technology and knowledge transfer; and  
c. preventing piracy and the trade of counterfeit goods (e.g. , medicines, auto parts, and 
batteries) to better protect human health and the environment.  
3.  The aim of Switzerland 's technical cooperation in the field of IP is to protect IP in partner countries 
in an appropriate, effective, calculable and easily applicab le manner. This involves assessing and 
balancing the economic benefits and the interests of all those affected by IP rights. These objectives 
should also contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  
4.  The Global Program fo r Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR), funded by the Swiss Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO) , supports developing and least developed countries as well as emerging 
economies in building efficient and effective protection for IP rights to support eco nomic 
development and facilitate the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).  
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- 2 - ANNEX1 
Name of programme or project  Colombian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (COLIPRI) Phase ll  
Date and end date  1 October 2019 - 30 September 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Colombia  
Brief description  This is a project under the Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR). The overall goal of the project is "to 
contribute that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Colombia benefit from an improved intellectual 
property system ". 
Beneficiary institution or audience  Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), Colombia, Dirección Nacional de Derecho  de Autor (DNDA), Colombia, 
Selected public sector, private sector and academia representatives.  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "The national IP Policy has been updated, is being implemented and enforced according to its action 
plan":  
• Completed a consultancy report  for updating the outdated (2008) National IP Strategy: first draft of new National 
IP strategy (20 21) and action plan available and consulted with interest groups;  
• Conducting a legal gap analysis of industrial design legislation and of its compatibility with the Hague system;  
• Facilitating experience -sharing among institutions with jurisdictional functions: SIC (industrial property), DNDA 
(copyright) and Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario – ICA (plant varieties) in order to strengthen jurisdictional functions.  
• Evaluating 12 handicraft geographical indication products using the GI impact assessment methodology.  
• Started transcribing video court hearings regarding industrial property to make jurisprudence available in a public 
database.  
 
Under Component B, "IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly se rvices ": 
• Organizing a virtual training and experience -sharing between Swiss and Colombian trademark examiners on the 
Nice Classification and non -traditional trademarks;  
• Organizing a virtual training and experience -sharing between Swiss and Colombian in dustrial design examiners 
on the Hague Agreement;  
• Organizing a virtual training and experience -sharing between Swiss and Colombian specialists in the field of plant 
varieties;  
• Drafted a study on the non -payment of copyright  remuneration to CMOs and a guide on best practice for CMOs 
and on oversight for the DNDA.  
 
Under Component C, "IPR entities, academia and private sector representatives promote the acquisition, use and transfer 
of IPRs to potential users ": 
• Creating promotional videos on copy right for the DNDA.  
• Supporting the first regional virtual training on Geographical Indications for Latin America.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/colombia -phase -2?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.Hirsig@ipi.ch  
 
1 In English only .  
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- 3 -  
Name of programme or project  Albanian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (ALSIP)  
Date and end date  1 March 2020 - 29 February 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Albania  
Brief description  This is a project under the Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR). The overall goal of the project 
is "to contribute that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Albania benefit from effective protection 
of IP objects. " 
Beneficiary institution or audience  General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) (Ministry of Finance and Economy)  
Copyright Directorate (Ministry of Culture)  
Other selected partners of the national IP system.  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  State Sec retariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "Improved IP legislation and effective implementation of the national IP strategy contribute 
to better framework conditions for investment and innovation ":  
• Assessment of the national Geographical Indication System as a contribution to the Government of Albania 's 
updated National IP Strategy of Albania (2021 -2025). Support provided for regional presentations of the  updated 
National IP Strategy of Albania.  
• Drafting a by -law on Geographical Indication certification.  
 
Under Component B, "Well-functioning intellectual property rights (IPRs) registration and administration entities 
provide efficient and user -friendly s ervices ":  
• Translation of the Nice Classification for trademarks into Albanian.  
 
Under Component C, "IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the promotion, 
acquisition, use and transfer of IPRs to potential users ":  
• Translating the "Guide to Assessing Conditions and Impacts of Geographical Indications " into Albanian.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/albania?L=0%22  
Contact point for further information  Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch   
Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.Hirsig@ipi.ch  
  
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- 4 - Name of programme or project  Indonesian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (ISIP) Phase ll  
Date and end date  2 May 2017 - 31 July 2021  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Indonesia  
Brief description  This is a project under the Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR). Selected thematic areas of high 
relevance included:  
• Further support to the intellectual property expertise of the DGIP in examining patent applications and preventing 
IP disputes;  
• Provision of advice to the revision of IPR policy frameworks;  
• Strengthening of the capacities of the D GIP to provide internal trainings and external information to IPR users;  
• Provision of advice on the use of IPRs to selected private sector and civil society partners;  
• Support to producers of GI value chain products with tailor -made trainings on market access, quality control, and 
organisational development; and  
• Capacity -building of Collective Management Organizations.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Directorate General of Intellectual Property, Indonesia, Selected private sector and civil society partners  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)  
Outputs or impact  • Overall, intellectual property (IP) users as well as the 5 supported private sec tor and civil society partners 
and 2 leading polytechnic institutes perceive improved IP commercialisation conditions and better rules and 
regulations in the Indonesian creative economy sector. Most significantly, the implementing regulations on royalty 
management by Collective Management Organizations have been passed by the government (in the music sector) 
or are about to be passed (literature sector).  
• The private sector associations and civil society partners have improved their IP capacity, deliver be tter 
services to their members, have stronger organisational management skills, and have extended their network to 
relevant national and international partners.  
• As a consequence of a training provided on the enforcement of Geographical Indications (GI), the DGIP 
requested ORIGIN (the international GI organisation) for assistance to join the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement, 
which will allow Indonesian GI products to receive protection and better market access in all member states of this 
Act. 
• The supp orted GI management organisations of Tenun Ikat Sikka and Bali Amed Salt have considerably 
improved their GI management skills, organisational management, and expanded their market access and network 
(nationally and internationally). They have improved the ir income by increasing both production quantity and 
prices, leading to more households engaging in GI production.  
• The University of Padjadjaran (UNPAD) has incorporated the developed postgraduate GI course into its 
curriculum, allocated human and finan cial resources to manage it in the long term, and conducts the course annually 
by itself, making use of the international expert network provided through the project. The education of GI experts 
contributes to addressing the currently perceived lack of GI experts in Indonesia.  
• Some unintended positive effects of the project can be observed: the foundation of one trading company 
specialised in GI products, the foundation of an IP consulting firm consisting of former project collaborators and 
partners, and the foundation of a Technology Transfer and IP Center (Sentra KI) at the Polytechnic Institute of 
Kendal, now actively protecting its inventions and innovations and engaging in IP commercialisation.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/recht/entwicklungszusammenarbeit/factsheet_indonesia_phase_2.pdf  
Contact point for further information  Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch  
  
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- 5 - Name of programme or project  Iranian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (IRSIP)  
Date and end date  1 January 2020 - 31 December 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Iran 
Brief description  The overall objective of the IRSIP is to strengthen the Iranian intellectual property system, to improve business 
competitiveness and commercialization of intellectual property assets, and to mak e a positive impact on Iran 's 
economic development.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  • Iranian Intellectual Property Centre (IPC), Iranian Copyright Office, and other selected partners of the national 
IP system  
• Selected private sector representatives  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)   
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- 6 - Name of programme or project  Iranian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (IRSIP)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "Laws, rules, strategies, and procedures to support the protection and commercialization of 
IPRs and the development of the creative economy are strengthened ": 
• One desk study on CMOs ' roles & functions produced by IPI experts for the Copyright Office of Iran and 
literary and artistic right holders.  
• Two virtual trainings conducted for the Iranian Copyright  Office on the topic of Collective Management 
Organizations (CMOs) and supervision of them in which the Swiss Copyright Division 's experiences on the topic 
were shared and policy advice was provided to its Iranian counterpart.  
• Two virtual trainings and n eeds assessment sessions on CMOs with private sector representatives in the 
Iranian film and music sector.  
• Comments provided on the CMO provisions of the Iranian Copyright Bill by a Swiss expert.  
• Two by -law proposals for CMO establishment in Iran (one in the music and one in the film sector).  
 
Under Component B, "Iran's IP protection system is improved for its users ": 
• Three tailor -made virtual trainings provided by an IPI expert to the patent examiners of the Iranian 
Intellectual Property Centre (IPC)  on the specific topics requested by them.  
• Written questions of the IPC trademark office answered by IPI experts.  
• Five tailor -made virtual trainings provided by an IPI expert to the trademark registrars of the Iranian 
Intellectual Property Centre (IPC) on the specific topics requested by them.  
 
Under Component C, "The economic value, business competitiveness, and sustainability of registered Iranian 
geographical indications (GIs) are recognized and demonstrated ": 
• Evaluation and analysis of 27 Ira nian agro -food and handicraft GI products using the GI impact assessment 
methodology and through interviews with GI holders and other value chain stakeholders.  
• Presentation of the analysis results of 27 Iranian GI products in a high -level virtual meeting  consisting of 
the Iranian IPC, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, Ministry of 
Cooperatives and Labour, Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade as well as the experts, and five candidates selected 
for the shortlis t. 
• Five virtual interviews with value chain stakeholders of the shortlisted GI candidates.  
• Seven trainings on GI system management for public and private stakeholders.  
• Two trainings for IPC and other relevant ministries introducing the Geneva Act of Lisbon Agreement on 
Geographical Indications.  
• Validation of the final selection of two GI products as pilots for project intervention in a virtual meeting with 
IPC and other relevant ministries.  
• One assessment study on following the identification of I ranian GIs including their strengths and weaknesses 
as well as an intervention plan for strengthening the two selected GI value chains.  
• Funding and mandating the translation of an FAO publication on GIs from English into Farsi as an information 
source fo r the public and private sector.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/i ran 
Contact point for further information  Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.Ghafouri@ipi.ch  
  
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- 7 - Name of programme or project  Peruvian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (PESIPRO)  
Date and end date  1 June 2019 - 28 November 2021  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Peru 
Brief description  The Peruvian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (PESIPRO) is a project under the Global Program for Intellectual 
Property Rights (GPIPR), which began in June 2019 and has a duration of 2.5 years until November 2021. The 
overall objective of the PESIPRO is  to strengthen the use of selected IPRs in Peru in order to contribute to higher 
competitiveness, enable further added value of Peruvian products, and to have an overall positive impact on 
Peruvian economic development.  
The following is an overview of the  project components including thereunder a shortlist of activities that have been 
implemented in the reporting period.  
The project focuses on supporting Indecopi in its efforts to increase the use of IPRs in the private sector and society 
through:  
• Buildi ng the capacity of Indecopi, producers of GI products, as well as trade and export institutions to 
improve the valuation of Peruvian GI products;  
• Raising the awareness of creative economy associations and related government agencies on the use and 
benefi ts of copyright protection; and  
• Providing advice to Peruvian SMEs, increasing their awareness of the use of patent protection, and increasing 
the number of patent applications from the private sector.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Peruvian Nationa l Institute for the Defence of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property – Indecopi, 
Selected private sector partners  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)  
Outputs or impact  • Analysis of Café de Villa Rica green beans and recommendations with regard to developing their Geographical 
Indication.  
• Virtual training: Market Access and Added Value of GI Certified Coffee (for organizations in the coffee sector).  
• Concept note to support the development of the Geographical Indication for Cacao Amazonas Peru.   
• Production of interactive manuals/guides and videos on copyright for associations of creative industries.  
• Economic study on the importance of copyright -based creative industries.  
• IP commercialization and patent search training for Red CATI.  
• Development of 6 free virtual courses in intellectual property for private sector actors and the general public.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/peru?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch  
  
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- 8 - Name of programme or project  WIPO Searches  
Date and end date  16 July 2012 - 31 December 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Andorra; Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; 
Kingdom of Bahrain; Bangladesh; Barbados; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Plurinational State of Bolivia; Bosnia 
and Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Burkina Fa so; Burundi; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; 
Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; Chile; China; Colombia; Comoros; Congo; Costa Rica; Côte d 'Ivoire; 
Cuba; Curaçao; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El 
Salvador; Equatorial Guinea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; The Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; 
Guinea; Guinea -Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Holy See; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; 
Israel; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; the State of Kuwait; Kyrgyz Republic; Lao People 's 
Democratic Republic; Lebanese Republic; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Macao, China; Madagascar; Malawi; Malaysia; 
Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia;  Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique; 
Myanmar; Namibia; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Nigeria; Republic of North Macedonia; Oman; Pakistan; Panama; 
Papua New Guinea; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation; Rwanda; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint 
Lucia;  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tomé and Principe; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Senegal; 
Serbia; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; 
Sudan; Suriname; Syrian Arab Republic; The Separ ate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; 
Tajikistan; Tanzania; Thailand; Timor -Leste; Togo; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tunisia; Turkey; Uganda; Ukraine; 
United Arab Emirates; Uruguay; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ; Viet Nam; Yemen; 
Zambia; Zimbabwe  
Brief description  Since 1987, the IPI has been participating in the WIPO Patent Information Services for Developing Countries 
(WPIS), set up by WIPO, and has handled individual requests for patent information (state -of-the-art search 
reports). Additionally, since 1 January 2011, the IPI has been participating in the International Cooperation on 
Examination (ICE) part of WPIS. The IPI thus not only provides "state-of-the-art search reports, " but also "search 
and examination reports. " These types of reports are provided to fac ilitate national patent applications in the 
beneficiary countries. The programme supports the national patent offices in building their competence in search 
and examination procedures, and helps to strengthen the patent system and legal certainty worldwide . 
Beneficiary institution or audience  IP offices of developing and least developed countries  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property  
Outputs or impact  1. Supporting national patent authorities in developing countries in increasing their competence in the area of 
search and examination procedures, and thus strengthening the patent system and legal certainty worldwide.  
2. Supporting research institutions and national patent authorities in developing countries in the use of patent 
information and in establishing a functioning protection of intellectual property in order to promote innovation.  
Website for further information   
Contact point for further information  Martin Girsberger: Martin.Girsberger@ipi.ch  
  
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- 9 - Name of programme or project  Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR)  
Date and end date  7 June 2018 - 31 December 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Albania; Brazil; Colombia; Ghana; Indonesia; Myanmar; Peru; Serbia; South Africa  
Brief description  Most of Switzerland 's bilateral technical cooperation in the area of intellectual property (IP) is carried out through 
projects financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the Swiss Federal 
Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), based on the Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR). The 
GPIPR supports developing and least developed countries as well  as emerging economies in building an efficient 
and effective protection of intellectual property rights to support economic development and facilitate the 
implementation of the Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of the World 
Trade Organization (WTO).  
IP-supportive regimes and systems are fundamental for creating sound framework conditions for sustainable trade. 
IP is central to promote innovation and the development of new goods, services and production methods. IP 
provides the incentives necessary to pursue further research and development, and creative works. Insofar, it is 
part of a sound foundation for a prosperous private sector, helpful for attracting international investors as well as 
for protecting local knowl edge. 
IP is a central element of today 's world -trade system and follows standards set out by the WTO 's TRIPS Agreement, 
as the dedicated instrument for IP. IP is also an important topic in trade negotiations to create a level playing field 
for all actors i nvolved and to ensure that pirated goods are not exchanged in legitimate trading channels. In order 
to facilitate the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, developed countries, like Switzerland, have committed to 
providing technical and financial cooperat ion for developing and least developed countries. The GPIPR program is 
SECO 's response to this commitment.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Relevant entities and private stakeholders in Albania, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Myanmar, Peru, Serbia and 
South Africa.  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)  
Outputs or impact  The overall goal of the GPIPR is to contribute to an improved IP regime in developi ng and least developed countries 
as well as emerging economies. While IP offices may be the main direct beneficiaries of the program in most cases, 
other actors also benefit from the interventions under the GPIPR, such as ministries of agriculture, customs  or 
police agencies, judicial institutions, universities, IP -related organizations and associations, SMEs, and wider 
producer groups. The GPIPR can offer support related to the following areas:  
A) advising on IP policy, strategy and legislation for all IP rights;  
B) improving IP administration and good governance;  
C) assisting owners in the use IP rights;  
D) improving enforcement of IP rights; and  
E) facilitating knowledge and technology transfer.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/global -program -for-intelle ctual-
property -rights  
Contact point for further information  SECO: info.wehu.cooperation@seco.admin.ch   
IPI: Martin Girsberger martin.girsberger@ipi. ch 
  
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- 10 - Name of programme or project  Swiss -Serbian Intellectual Property Project (SSIP) Phase II  
Date and end date  22 June 2017 - 31 December 2021  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Serbia  
Brief description  This is a project under the Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR). The project 's selected areas of 
cooperation include:  
• Increasing the demand of IP users to protect and capitalise on their IPRs;  
• Improving the legal and institutional framework as well as the enforcemen t of GIs in order to facilitate the 
economic and social benefits of producers and consumers; and  
• Strengthening capacities for the market valorisation of GI products to better market traditional products for 
the benefit of rural and artisanal communities.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Ministry of Science, Education and Technological development  
Ministry of Agriculture, Serbian Intellectual Property Office (IPO)  
Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management  
National Association of. Producers o f geographical indications "Original ". 
Technical cooperation provider(s)  State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)   
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- 11 - Name of programme or project  Swiss -Serbian Intellectual Property Project (SSIP) Phase II  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "Improved GI legal and institutional framework to facilitate the economic and social benefits 
of GI producers and consumers ": 
• A module on the certification of geographical indications was created by the project. The 140 people who 
participated in the first year of the certific ation academy were trained online in improving the practice and policy 
of GI governance and quality control. 38 participants ha ve passed the examination and have obtained a certification 
of a controller.  
• A quality assurance model for non -food GIs and tr aditional handicraft products was designed and introduced.  
• Institutionalization plan for the quality assurance for the non -food GIs was recognized and implemented by 
key stakeholders.  
• The guidelines for the implementation of the flexibility rules targe ting food business operators, inspectors 
and other small traditional producers of milk and dairy were adopted and published.  
 
Under Component B, "Strengthened capacities for market valorisation of GI products ": 
• A number of promotional activities, trade f airs and social media marketing campaigns have been carried out 
for a dozen Serbian Geographical Indications.  
• With the support of the project, Original Serbian Association of GI producers has:  
o developed a new marketing and communication strategy;  
o started online sales and a marketing campaign;  
o been able to further its outreach through social networks – Instagram and Facebook;  
o started an online shop on the website;  
o developed a new packaging design;  
o improved management structure of the association; and  
o closed first promotion contracts with retail chains for some GI products.  
 
Under Component C, "The demand of key IP users to protect and capitalise on their IPRs is increased ": 
• The project has supported the internal procedures in the Ser bian IPO to modernise the structure and content 
of the webpage to make it user friendly, SMEs oriented and technically solid.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/serbia?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch  
  
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- 12 - Name of programme or project  Technopark Serbia 2 – IP Component (TES -2 - IP) 
Date and end date  1 July 2020 - 31 December 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Serbia  
Brief description  The Project Technopark Serbia – Boosting Exports through Technoparks (Phase II) is a project under the Global 
Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR). It funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs 
(SECO) and implemented by the Scie nce and Technology Park Belgrade (STPB). The IP -specific challenges which 
were observed during the planning of the second phase of the Technopark Project made it necessary to design a 
separate project specifically focusing on the IP component of the Techno park Project.  
 
The TES -2-IP contributes to the main Technopark Serbia Project by raising awareness about intellectual property 
rights (IPRs) within start -ups through technoparks and the Serbian Intellectual Property Office (IPO). To this end, 
various acti vities are being implemented that are primarily aimed at building the capacities of an IP officer, relevant 
STPB staff, Niš and Čačak science and technology parks ' staff in IP, and in high tech businesses. The project will 
also provide support in the form of IP searches for start -ups. The start -ups will also receive training through 
workshops on IP strategies, while the IP rights of the selected start -ups with the most potential and/or need, in 
view of the relevant markets and the given IP landscape, will b e protected.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Serbian Science and Technology Park Belgrade, Serbian start -ups, Serbian Intellectual Property Office  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Swiss Federal Institut e of Intellectual Property (IPI)  
Outputs or impact  A number of project activities in the field of intellectual property were implemented in frame of the first innovation 
cycle launched in the Technopark in Serbia:  
• First public call for start -ups in the first innovation cycle of the "Raising starts " program; 
• Recruitment and capacity building activities of the IP officer of the STPB in Serbia;  
• Accompanied patent search for start -ups provided by patent experts from IPO Serbia as a part of activities 
in the first cycle of the "Raising starts " program;  
• Selection of the shortlisted start -ups to receive additional funds for an in -depth IP analysis;  
• Memorandum of cooperation between STPB and Serbian IPO office;  
• Registration of 15 companies who were accepted into the second cycle of "Raising starts " program;  
• Introduction to Espacenet - capacity building for IP officer;  
• Awareness -raising webina r on innovation and IP protection for the start -ups;  
• Capacity -building webinar by Swiss IPI experts for the staff of STPB Belgrade and technoparks in the cities 
of Nis and Cacak;  
• "IP aspects of computer -implemented inventions " – Webinar held by Swiss IPI experts; capacity building for 
the staff of STPB Belgrade, Nis and Cacak;  
• "IP commercialization for SMEs and start -ups" - Webinar held by Swiss IPI experts; capacity building for the 
staff of STPB Belgrade, Nis and Cacak;  
Website for further informa tion https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/serbia -technopark?L=3  
Contact point for further inf ormation  Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch  
  
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- 13 - Name of programme or project  Training Concerning Medical Technology and Instruments at the National Institute of Industrial 
Property of Brazil  
Date and end date  15 December 2020 - 17 December 2020  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Brazil  
Brief description  Training for patent examiners in the field of medical technology and instruments.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), Brazil  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Improved knowledge and skill s of patent examiners in the area of medical technology and instruments.  
Website for further information   
Contact point for further information  Martin Girsberger: Martin.Girsberger@ipi.ch  
 
Name of programme or project  Swiss -South African Intellectual Property Project (SSAIP)  
Date and end date  17 August 2020 - 16 August 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  South Africa  
Brief description  The overall objective of the SSAIP project is to contribute to South Africa 's socio -economic development through 
promoting the use and protection of intellectual property rights. This is a project under the Globa l Program for 
Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR).   
Beneficiary institution or audience  The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic)  
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Ag ency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  1) Under Outcome A: National IP Policy is strengthened through consultations and workshops and sui generis 
Geogra phical Indications (GI) system developed;  
- Delivery of a study on the "Use of the Subject Matter of a Patent without the Authorization of the Rights 
Holder – Swiss Law and Practice " 
2) Under Outcome B: IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly services;  
- A training was delivered to CIPC patent examiners (12 – 14 July) on how to conduct Assisted Patent 
Searches.  
3) Under Outcome C: SMME -supporting agencies and IPR entities promote protection and use of IPRs to  potential 
users of IPRs; and  
4) Under Outcome D: Increased commercialisation of IPRs as part of the innovation process.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/south -africa?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch   
Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch   
Alexandra Nightingale: Alexandra.Nightingale@ipi.ch  
  
  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/2  
 
- 14 - Name of programme or project  Myanmar -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MYSIPP)  
Date and end date  1 January 2020 - 31 December 2022  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Myanmar  
Brief description  The Myanmar -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MYSIPP) is a project under GPIPR, which started in January 2020 
and has a duration of three years until December 2022. The overall objective of the MYSIPP is to contribute to the 
establishment of an IP system in Myanmar, which is an essential component to create favourable conditions for 
sustainable trade. Due to the current political situa tion, no activities or training sessions with governmental or 
government -related agencies can be conducted in Myanmar.  
 
The project focuses on supporting the IP Department by achieving the following goals and objectives:  
• building the capacity of its staf f in the area of financial and human resource management as well as 
communication;  
• providing legal support through the review of several IP laws and regulations;  
• increasing awareness of Geographical Indications (GIs) among coffee producers; and  
• strengthening IP education through technical assistance and the building of capacities in the university 
system of Myanmar.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Intellectual Property Department of the Ministry of Commerce  
Private sector partners (e.g., the Myanmar Coffee Association)  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Activities implemented before February 2021:  
• Trainings delivered to th e Myanmar Coffee Association on GIs, profiling of Myanmar 's coffee regions and 
assessment regarding their suitability as GIs.  
• Comments on Myanmar 's laws and regulations concerning trademarks, Collective Management 
Organizations, copyright,  industrial des igns, GIs and patents.  
• Training provided to the staff of the Intellectual Property Department on building the capacity of the HR 
department.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/myanmar  
Contact point for further information  Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch   
Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch  
  
  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/2  
 
- 15 - Name of programme or project  Swiss -Ghanaian Intellectual Property Project (SGIP II) Phase II  
Date and end date  1 January 2016 - 30 September 2021  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Ghana  
Brief description  The overall goal of SGIP -II is to contribute to Ghana 's socio -economic development through promoting the use and 
protection of intellectual property rights. This is a project under the Global Program me for Intellectual Property 
Rights (GPIPR).  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Ministry of Trade and Industry  
Ministry of Justice  
Copyright Office  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  The Swiss -Ghanaian Intellectual Property Project – Phase II (SGIP -II) was launched in January 2016. The project 's 
overall goal is to contribute to Ghana 's socio -economic development by promoting the use and protection of 
intellectual property rights (IPRs). Like SGIP -I, SGIP -II is financed by SECO, while the IPI serves as the 
implementing agency for the project.  
SGIP-II has four Compone nts. The activities undertaken under each Component during the reporting period are 
listed below:  
Under Component A, "An enabling IP environment and an improved service provision is in place for IP users ": 
The project began with planning trainings for the staff of the Ghanaian Industrial Property Office (GHIPO) covering 
the following topics:  
1) IT 
2) Trademarks  
3) Soft skills  
 
Under Component B, "Targeting research institutions and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to increase the 
commercialisation of the ir IPRs ": 
These activities have been completed.  
 
Under Component C, "Improving the protection and enforcement of IPRs for higher economic benefits for right 
holders and safeguarding consumers from substandard goods ": 
1. The project further developed a Publ ic Education and Awareness Strategy with the Ghanaian Copyright 
Office, though this task has not yet been fully completed;  
2. A study surveying the economic impact of copyright on the Ghanaian economy was delivered in October 
2020. 
 
Under Component D, "Increasing the legal protection of geographical indications (GIs) to better market traditional 
products for the benefit of rural and artisanal communities ": 
1. The project developed a training program with the assistance of internationa l experts for government 
officials and select producers of Ghanaian GI products. Two training sessions were delivered: 12 – 16 April 2021 // 
14 – 18 June 2021  
2. The project will also be providing coaching sessions to individual producer groups as needed t hrough the 
end of the project (30  September 2021).  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/ghana   
  IP/C/R/TC/CHE/2  
 
- 16 - Name of programme or project  Swiss -Ghanaian Intellectual Property Project (SGIP II) Phase II  
Contact point for further information  Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch  
 
 
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