WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
24 October 2012  
 
(12-5808) 
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 16 October 2012, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Switzerland. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
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 in stitutions 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 Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).  In its 
Decision (IP/C/28) of 19 February 2003, the Co uncil 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. 
2. According to this obligation, and taking the Decision of the Council for TRIPS into account, 
Switzerland herewith submits its new detaile d report after two years of updated reports 
(IP/C/W/558/Add.5 of 14 October 2011 and IP/C /W/551/Add.2 of 18 October 2010).  The report 
reflects all new relevant developments in Switzerland. 
3. Switzerland reviewed the content and format of its  reports from previous years.  It has taken 
into account the comments made by LDCs at th e 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.  Based on 
the input provided by the LDC group in 2011 and 2012 (cf. IP/C/W/561 of 6 October 2011), Switzerland re-evaluated the format and content of  Annex I of earlier Swi ss reports and adapted it 
accordingly, to the extent possible.   The table in Annex I now includes the following columns:  Title 
of Project or Programme, Country (which additionall y refers to several global programmes), Field of 
Technology Transfer, Duration, Mechanism (Agenc ies/Institution providing Technology Transfer), 
Budget for 2011 or a longer period as indicated, and Contact Information.  For some programmes, a website has been indicated where interested pa rties can obtain additional information and find a 
contact point. IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
Page 2  
 
  4. Switzerland's understanding of "technology transfer" includes a broad set of processes 
covering the flows of know-how, experience and equi pment amongst different stakeholders such as 
governments, private sector entities, financial ins titutions, NGOs and research/education institutions.  
Incentives and activities reported here belong to any of the following four key modes of technology 
transfer, as per a UN definition:  (i) physical objects or equipment;  (ii) skills and human aspects of 
technology management and learning;  (iii) design s 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), commercial lending and equity investment are all important channels thro ugh which technology transfer is financed.  The 
present report is focused on technology transf er under ODA financing. Switzerland provides 
incentives in numerous sectors contributing to sustaina ble development in LDCs and believes that this 
assistance should be comprehensive and not be limited to certain areas.  
II. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF INCENTIVES 
FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
5. 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 technolog y transfer to LDCs.  These two agencies are the 
Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic 
Affairs (SECO).  They are jointly responsible fo r the formulation and implementation of the Swiss 
international development cooperation policy.  While the SDC assumes the overall coordination 
function in matters pertaining to developmen t, SECO is the competent centre for economic 
development and the integration of developing a nd transition countries into the world economy.   
6. 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 F oundation aims - with its research programmes - to 
make a positive contribution to sci entific research in relevant areas of the world and to promote 
research cooperation between these areas and Switzerla nd.  At present, the Swiss National Science 
Foundation has a project in collaboration with th e SDC focused on research partnerships with 
developing countries, encompassing seve ral projects in LDCs (see Annex II). 
III. LEVELS OF SWISS ACTIVITIES PROM OTING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO 
LDCS 
7. Switzerland's activities and incentives regarding t echnology transfer aim to increase the flow 
of technology to 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 bilateral,  regional and multilateral levels. 
8. SECO's and SDC's activities relevant to Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement are carried out 
under the Swiss Official Devel opment Assistance Progr amme (ODA Programme).  The Swiss ODA  
Programme includes bilateral, bilateral-multilatera l and multilateral initiatives and is primarily aimed 
at a selected group of priority countries in Latin America, Africa, Central and South East Asia and 
south-eastern Europe.  Many of the projects contract Swiss as well as other developed country Members' enterprises and institutions to provide  their knowledge and technology in assisting the 
development of human capital, infrastructure and private sector enterprises in LDCs. 
9. At the multilateral level, Switzerland contributes to a variety of technical assistance trust 
funds with the World Bank Group, the regional deve lopment banks, and the International Monetary  IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Fund.  These funds are available either to project  managers of these banks or to countries seeking 
funding for technical assistance and technology tr ansfer.  Besides cooperation with these financial 
institutions, Switzerland is also engaged in the de velopment projects of many other international 
organisations such as the World Health Orga nisation (WHO), the United Nations Industrial 
Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 
(UNCTAD), the World Intellectual Property Organi zation (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 Consulta tive Group on International Agricultural Research 
(CGIAR), or the International Organizati on of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). 
10. Switzerland supports various bilateral and multilate ral projects in order to promote investment 
as well as the efficiency, effectiveness and sustaina ble impacts of trade. In investment promotion, 
Switzerland aims at mobilising 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 facilitating direct inve stments or joint ventures which transfer know-how 
and technology.  Concerning trade related coope ration promotion, Switzerland cooperates on a 
bilateral basis and with bilateral or multilateral ag encies.  Trade-related assistance to LDCs is mainly 
delivered through multilateral programmes and orga nisations such as the Enhanced Integrated 
Framework (EIF) and the UN Interagency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacities.  Herein, 
special thematic partnerships are maintained w ith 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 we ll as double taxation agreements. 
IV. INSTRUMENTS FOR THE PROMOTION OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
11. One of the main goals of Switzerland's ec onomic and trade-rela ted cooperation with 
developing and transitional countries is the transfer  of modern technology and of know-how to these 
countries in order to better enable them to upgrad e their production facilities to the requirements of 
world markets and to become more competitive in the global economy.  The promotion of investment 
and of cooperation agreements between the privat e sectors in the North, South and East is an 
important instrument of development policy, whic h is primarily intended to support sustainable 
development in these partner countries. 
A. SUPPORT OF PRIVATE -SECTOR INVESTMENTS IN LDC S 
12. Switzerland promotes technology transfer to  LDCs by way of supporting small and 
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in several ways.  For instance, it provides technical advice to SMEs 
domiciled in LDCs such as Bangladesh, Benin and Mali.   
13. Switzerland also encourages Swiss SMEs to inv est 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 ad ministration 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, incl uding LDCs.  The projects must be commercially 
viable and meet recognised envir onmental and social standards.  Investments in developing and 
transition economies involve business risks beyond tho se generally encountered in Western countries.  
The aim of the Start-up Fund is to share financ ing 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 Star t-up Fund aims at enabling the transfer of capital, 
technological know-how and managerial expertise.   The Start-up Fund has actively supported SME 
activities in LDCs or countries in transition throug h more than 74 projects, such as mango processing 
in Burkina Faso and coffee processing in Zambia. IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
Page 4  
 
  14. Technology transfer to LDCs is also provide d by Swiss charitable institutions which are 
incentivised under tax exemption schemes establishe d 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 and which is engaged in technology transfer to LDCs 
(see http://www.novartisfoundation.org/ ).  The Foundation not only supplies a large amount of cost-
free medicines to many LDCs, but it also runs vari ous public health related projects including local 
training to promote Integrated Management of Ch ildhood Illness, training and supportive supervision 
of health personnel and the provision of training infrastructure. 
15. Switzerland supports private participation in in frastructure in developing countries through 
facilities of the Private Infrastructure Developmen t Group (PIDG).  It has provided equity to the 
Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund which in turn provides long-term US$ or EUR denominated debt 
on commercial terms to finance the construction and development of private infrastructure in 
47 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.  It also  supports GuarantCo which enhances local currency 
debt issuance by private, municipal and parastatal  entities for infrastructure projects in lower income 
countries around the world.  Finally, it supports Infr aCo Africa which develops projects by taking on 
the high costs and risks of early stage project de velopment, 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 100 per cent implemented by the commercial private sector.  Overall, 77 projects ha ve been supported by PIDG so far.  Of these 
77 projects, 37 are now operational, delivering ne w 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 utilise cutting edge 
technology to ensure maximum efficiency in th e countries in which they operate.  Most PIDG 
supported projects employ local managers and opera tors who are recruited on the basis of their 
existing, appropriate qualifications, but all of whom are also provided with on the job training.  The 
percentage of training costs in relation to a proj ect's total investment co st varies widely depending 
upon the type of infrastructure being provided, th e 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 co st of the project.  However, in some exceptional 
cases, Technical Assistance (TA) gr ants have been accessed to provi de technology related training to 
PIDG supported projects.  In particular, the Ch anyanya project developed and implemented by 
InfraCo Africa in Zambia has accessed US$230,000 of  TA funding to provide training and capacity 
building to local farmers in the development, ope ration 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 per cent of  the total investment costs of the project.    
16. Switzerland supports the Climate Investment  Funds' Scaling-Up of Renewable Energy 
Program (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.   
17. 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 Bu siness Better Initiative and a mortgage market 
development project in Burkina Faso, the Credit Bureau and Mobile Money Programmes, and the 
Africa Leasing Programme.  In Southeast Asia, SEC O supports the IFC-led (International Finance 
Corporation) Mekong Private Sector Developmen t Facility (MPDF), whic h covers Lao PDR and 
Cambodia. In terms of knowledge transfer, the MP DF has supported efforts to set up credit bureaus 
both in Lao PDR and Cambodia and helped to est ablish mobile phone banking schemes in Cambodia. 
Other examples in Southeast Asia include helping First Finance, a Cambodian microfinance company,  IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
 Page 5 
 
 
  to develop a marketing strategy for its products , supporting the Cambodian Battambang Investment 
Rice Company to upgrade its environmental and social governance (ESG) scheme, and assisting the 
Westline Education Group, a private education provider in Laos, in its efforts to comply with tax and 
corporate governance obligations.  In Africa, SECO has been supporting Tanzania to set up a credit 
bureau. The programme shall now be expanded to Sie rra Leone, Burundi, Lesotho, Zambia  and  the 
UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union) sub-region.  Within the Africa Mobile 
Money programme SECO is supporting among others Madagascar to develop telecom led payment 
solutions.  Technology and know-how transfer is also taking place in the Africa Investment Climate Programme that is supporting Be nin, Mozambique and Zambia. 
18. Finally, the Swiss Government also provides l ong-term financing for sm all and medium-sized 
enterprises in LDCs through private equity fund invest ments.  These funds provide equity investments 
for SMEs in the target countries and combine th e investment with a broad range of technical 
assistance to the beneficiary comp anies 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 (SwF 8.4 million), 
the GroFin East Africa Fund (CHF3.6 million), the African Infrastructure Fund CHF 12 million), the 
SEAF Blue Waters Growth Fund (CHF 8.4 milli on), and the responsAbility Investment Fund in 
combination with a separate TA fund (start-up m oney from the Swiss Government of CHF 7 million). 
B. C
OMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT OF LDC  COMPANIES IN SWITZERLAND AND OTHER 
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES  
19. With its "Swiss Import Promotion Programme" (SIPPO), Switzerland supports exports from 
companies from selected developing and trans ition countries, including LDCs, to Switzerland and 
other European  countries.  It also assists Sw iss importers in finding ne w products and sources.  
Besides promoting consumer awareness for such products, Switzerland provides services such as 
advice on product design, business partner search, tr aining in export marketing, and support for 
participation in trade fairs to companies domicile d in developing and transition countries, including 
LDCs. 
C. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPORT RISK GUARANTEES  
20. Switzerland also provides non-reimbursable financial assistance (grants) to LDCs for the 
construction, rehabilitation or extension of infrastru cture in LDCs.  The Swiss grant contribution to 
these projects also covers transfer of technolog y, 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. 
21. The Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) provi des 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. 
D. TRADE AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION  
22. 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 comp anies 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 Swiss and other deve loped country Members' technical institutes, 
universities and industries.  Two four-year program mes for CHF 1 million each have been established 
in this field with Cambodia and Lao PDR. IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
Page 6  
 
  23. Switzerland also supports programmes in the fi eld 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 a nd medium-sized industries (e.g. foundry, glass, and 
brick industries).  The main objective is to strengt hen 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-how, training and infrastructure in the field of environment 
monitoring and chemicals management. 
24. Switzerland and the World Bank jointly launched the National Strategy Study Programme in 
1997.  The Programme has assisted non-Annex I co untries 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 deve loping and transition countries, Switzerland pooled 
its funds in 2006 with other donors in the Carbon Fi nance Assist trust fund managed by the World 
Bank Institute.  This programme supports the impl ementation of the flexible mechanisms under the 
UNFCCC through:  (i) institutional capacity building;  (ii) market development;  and (iii) outreach. 
25. Strategic partners at the national level ar e the Designated National Authorities.  The 
programme is also closely cooperating with highly specialised consultants, research institutions and 
the private sector.  More recently, the programme ha s joined forces with the large city grouping C-40 
in order to seize CDM (Clean Development Mechan ism) 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.  However, cities are under-represented as project owners in the CDM so 
far. The programme aims at closing this gap.  In 2009, Switzerland increased its contribution to 
Carbon Finance Assist by CHF 5 million for the period 2010-2012. 
26. With specific trade promotion programmes, Swit zerland promotes the integration of LDCs in 
the global economy.  As an example, Mozambique has been supported to enhance the competitiveness 
of its selected major agro-produ cts such as cashew nuts, fruits and vegetables and to achieve 
international standards such as HACCP (Hazard An alysis Critical Control Point) or EUREPGAP 
(Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group - Good Agricultu ral Practice).  Relevant ministries and state 
agencies in Mozambique get on-the-job training to  define a national cotton-processing strategy.  A 
programme with Tanzania includes export developmen t of speciality coffee and cashew nuts and aims 
at improving the country's quality infrastructure (e .g. the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards, the  
Weights and Measures Agency and the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority) to assure compliance with 
international technical barriers for trade and san itary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures system 
requirements.  Both these projects have been success fully finalised in 2010.  In the context of the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), Switzerla nd has joined forces with the CEB UN Cluster on 
trade and productive capacities to support LDCs' inte gration into the world trading system.  A first 
pilot country programme has been launched in Lao PDR, which has been initiated operationally 
in 2010.  A second country programme in Tanzania is  under preparation.  With its contribution to the 
Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), Switzerland also assists LDCs to enhance their 
expertise and capacity to implement international SPS standards referred to in the SPS Agreement of 
the WTO. 
E. TRAINING  
27. Another important focus of Swiss know-how transfer activities is the teaching of personnel 
from LDCs.  Capacity-building is an important part of  every technology transfer project.  In addition, 
Switzerland is carrying out training programmes to also specifically benefit LDCs.  For example, 
qualified applicants from LDCs regularly attend an  intellectual property training course for three  IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
 Page 7 
 
 
  months in two successive places:  first at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva, then at the " Centre 
d'Etudes Internationales de la Propriété Industrielle " in Strasbourg. 
28. A new programme is being established in coope ration with the Institute of International 
Studies in Geneva (IHEID) to provide specialised training for staff from Central Banks in partner 
countries on key issues of monetary policy an d support peer learning through conferences and 
regional seminars.  The programme will also bring trainees to Geneva to provide them with the 
possibility of deepening their technical knowle dge and carrying out quality research under the 
supervision of leading international experts.  
29. The Swiss Tropical Institute offers a postgradua te 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. 
F. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES  
30. Another kind of technology transfer, which Sw itzerland engages in, is collaborating with 
international organisations and/or with LDCs directly in research, particularly in the public health 
domain.  For example, the Swiss Tropical Institute  and other Swiss institutions provide advice and 
assistance to WHO for its "Roll-Back Malaria" programme.  The programme aimed at halving the world's malaria burden by the year 2010.  SDC prom otes research partnerships in a number of LDCs, 
including support through multi-year programme f unding 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 Universiti es of Applied Science, and the Scientific 
Cooperation Fund implemented by the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. 
G. O
THER INSTRUMENTS  
31. In addition to the activities mentioned ab ove, Switzerland has also engaged in 
capacity-building in and technology transfer to de veloping and least developed countries according to 
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its provisions on access and benefit-sharing.  
Switzerland is also supporting the BioTrade Initiativ e of the United Nations Conference on Trade and 
Development, which shall promote trade and inv estments in products and services derived from the 
sustainable use of biodiversity. 
32. The Lausanne Group (LG), working under the au spices of the Swiss Federal Institute of 
Technology, carried on its analysis of systemic issu es that technology transfers to LDCs raise.  The 
LG aims to find new ways of promoting, incentiv ising and testing models for technology transfer, 
e.g. by means of public-private partnerships or similar specialised agencies or entities.  One major 
goal of the LG is to find vehicles that help better match supply and demand of technology in 
developed countries and LDCs respectively.  For m onitoring purposes and fu rther examination, the 
group identified a project involving the transfer of  wood chipper technology from the Swiss region of 
the Emmental to the region of Mafi nga in Tanzania ("Waste wood to h eat and electricity in Tanzania's 
southern highlands").  The project was launched in June 2011 and concluded in April 2012.  An 
analysis of the project outcome and conclusions  that can be drawn from this Swiss-Tanzanian 
technology transfer, which was supported by REPI C (Swiss platform for Renewable Energy and 
Energy Efficiency Promotion in International Cooperation; cf. para. 34), is being carried out. 
V. DOMAINS OF SWISS TECHNOL OGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES 
33. Switzerland promotes technology transfer in domains that are of highest importance to the 
LDCs.  Specifically, the Swiss Govern ment fosters technology transfer to LDCs in the fields of public IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
Page 8  
 
  health, water supply and sanitation, agriculture, food  industry, machine industry, textiles, chemical 
industry, clean energy and eco-technology, and inte llectual property protection.  For an overview of 
ongoing projects, see Annex I and II. 
34. Switzerland also promotes and incentivises technol ogy transfer to LDCs in domains in which 
it has special expertise.  These include the mach ine 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 wh ich Switzerland is active.  Here, the goal is to transfer both 
knowledge and methods that help  meet environmental standard s.  These programmes focus 
particularly on technology transfer in the metal,  paper, cement, food and textile industries.  
Furthermore, Switzerland supports the transfer of technologies in the field of renewable energies 
through its REPIC platform. 
35. In the public health sector, the Swiss Govern ment encourages technology transfer between 
Switzerland and other LDCs in various ways incl uding research funding, consulting and assistance.  
Switzerland spends about CHF 9 milli on annually on technology transfer  to Mozambique, particularly 
in the domains of public health and sustainable water supply. 
36. Finally, Switzerland offers LDCs assistance in pr eparing and enforcing laws on the protection 
of intellectual property rights.  It also supports th e LDCs domestic offices executing these tasks.  The 
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property offe rs state-of-the-art searches free of charge for 
LDCs, and, by doing so, encourages innovative enterp rises 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 exchan ge of information regarding the protection and 
administration of intellectual property rights with LDCs. 
VI. CONCLUDING REMARKS 
37. In conclusion, Switzerland reaffirms its commit ment 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 cont inued dialogue between developed countries and 
LDCs will contribute to further improving devel oped countries' annual reports, both in terms of 
format and content.  In parallel, discussions must continue to explore new and alternative ways of 
more effectively incentivising enterprises to tran sfer suitable technology and know-how to LDCs, 
always keeping in mind the wider context and fra mework conditions of governmental and private 
engagements aimed at building local capacity an d fostering sustainable development in LDCs. 
38. As stated in earlier reports, government incentiv es to provide technology transfer to third 
countries are only one of many factors relevant for companies' decisions regarding where to direct 
their foreign investments and transfer their tec hnology.  Overall conditions in LDCs are often 
unfavourable to foreign enterprises that, in princi ple, 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 t echnology transfer.  Some of the decisive factors 
that contribute to attracting technology are fa vourable overall macroeconom ic and microeconomic 
conditions, a safe legal framework (including an account able judicial system, adequate protection of 
intellectual property rights and a well-functioning government administration) and market potential at the national level.  These factors are often directly  related to the level of development in a specific 
country. 
39. The programmes for technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of public 
financial management and the strengthening of th e finance sector were strongly enhanced.  New 
global initiatives started like the one of the World Ba nk in the field of management of financial risks  IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
 Page 9 
 
 
  or the thematic trust funds with the IMF in th e field of tax administration and management of 
commodity revenues in order to meet the incr eased needs for support from developing countries. 
Under the Swiss-supported Multilateral Debt Relief  Initiative (MDRI, launched in 2006) the debt 
burden of 36 countries could be substa ntially reduced. In order to enab le developing countries to also 
in future maintain a sound public financial system  and sufficient funds for poverty alleviation, SECO 
supported various programmes for strengthe ning debt mobilisation of tax revenues.
  
  IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
Page 10 
ANNEX I 
 
SWISS INCENTIVES FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN LDCS BY COUNTRY AND PROJECT, DIVIDED INTO REGIONS 
 
Comment:  The activities supported by the Swiss Government embrace projects at the bilateral, regional, interregional and global levels. 
 
Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer  Duration  Mechanism 
(Agencies/Institution 
providing Technology 
Transfer)  Budget for 2011, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
 Global Projects1  
Various Global SPS measures 2 009-2013 Standards and Trade 
Development Facility 
(STDF)  CHF 1,400,000  info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Swiss Import 
Promotion 
Programme SIPPO 
 Global, incl.  
Nepal, Laos, 
Cambodia Trade know-how 2012-2015 OSEC, Swiss Board for 
Trade Promotion CHF 6,000,000  info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
REPIC - Swiss 
platform for Renewable 
Energy 
Promotion in International 
Co-operation 
 Global, incl. 
Madagascar, Senegal, Mali Renewable energy, 
energy efficiency Wind, solar, biomass, 
geothermal, 
hydropower energy (www.repic.ch ) 2011-2013 REPIC - Swiss platform 
for Renewable Energy Promotion in 
International 
Cooperation  CHF 5,600,000 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Resource 
Efficient and 
Cleaner 
Production 
Program 
(UNIDO). Global, incl. 
Cambodia, Lao 
PDR Industry / environment 
Cleaner production: 
Identification and 
implementation of 
Environmentally 
Sound Technologies 2011-2015 Training of consultants, 
company assessments, 
together with UNIDO, 
Swiss Federal Institute of 
Technology and Material 
Testing EMPA CHF 3,400,000 per 
year info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
                                                      
1 These projects cover both developing countries and LDCs.  An estimated 20 per cent of the amounts are allocated in LDCs.  
   IP/C/W/580/Add.4
 Page 11Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer  Duration  Mechanism 
(Agencies/Institution 
providing Technology 
Transfer)  Budget for 2011, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Biotrade 
Facilitation Programme,  
Phase II Global, incl. 
Uganda Biodiversity, 
Promotion of Biotrade products 
under sustainable 
management plans 2009-2013 UNCTAD; consultancy US$ 2,500,000  
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
Various Global, with 
focus on sub-
Saharan Africa CDM capacity 
 building 
CDM-methodologies; 
institutional capacity 
of Designated 
National Authorities 2010-2012 World Bank (CF Assist); 
consultancy; knowledge 
transfer in host country 
committee; CDM fairs CHF 5,000,000 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
 
Promotion of 
Human 
Capacities in 
Trade Law and Policy 
 Global Trade law and policy 
 2010-2013 WTI Institute, University 
of Bern CHF 5,700,000  info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Various Sub-Saharan 
Africa  Infrastructure projects 
(e.g. renewable energy, irrigation, 
transportation)  2002 – open PIDG – Emerging Africa 
Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) n/a 
(total investments from SECO so far 
US$ 10m) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
Various Global  Local capital market 
development Infrastructure projects 
(e.g. housing, 
transportation)  2006 - open PIDG – GuarantCo  n/a  
(total investments from SECO so far 
US$17m) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Various  Africa  Greenfield 
infrastructure project 
development (i.e. renewable energy, 
irrigation, transport)  2005 – open  PIDG – InfraCo Africa  n/a  
(total investments 
from SECO so far US$ 8.5m) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
  
  IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
Page 12 
Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer  Duration  Mechanism 
(Agencies/Institution 
providing Technology 
Transfer)  Budget for 2011, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Innovative 
technologies affordable by 
the poor Various 
countries (for details see 
website under 
Contact Information) Low cost irrigation 
systems for small farmers 2009-2013 
(CHF 4,880,000 for 4 years) Implementation by 
International Development Enterprises 
(IDE) 
Antenna Technologies, Geneva CHF 1'200'000 
(estimated) 
http://www.deza.admin.ch/en/Home/Proje
cts/Selected_projects/Innovative_technolo
gies_affordable_to_the_poor  
 
IRRC Irrigated 
Rice Research 
Consortium Various Asian 
countries(for 
details see 
website under 
Contact Information) Agriculture cross-
country learning and 
the diffusion of new 
rice production 
technologies in Asia. Irrigation research and 
extension 2009-2012 Irrigated Rice Research 
Consortium (regional 
platform) CHF 1,300,000 
 
http://www.deza.admin.ch/en/Home/Proje
cts/Selected_projects/More_Rice_with_les
s_Water_A_success_of_the_Irrigated_Ric
e_Research_Consortium  
 
 Single Countries / bilateral Projects  
Sustainable 
Solutions for the Delivery of 
Safe Drinking 
Water DASCOH Bangladesh Water and sanitation 
(Public health) Arsenic mitigation in 
water;  arsenic free 
water harvesting technologies; 
prevention and 
treatment of infectious diseases 2009-2012  Local adaptation of 
technologies with Skat consulting; test kits with 
Swiss Federal Institute of 
Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). 
Joint research with the 
University of Bern CHF 475,377 
(CHF 3,550,000 for 4 years) 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/bangladesh/en/Hom
e/Local_Governance/DASCOH  
 
Water and 
Sanitation 
Programme WSP 
Bangladesh Bangladesh Water and sanitation 
Improvement of  
sustainable water supply and sanitation, 
especially to the poor 
both in rural and urban 
areas 2009-2012 World Bank supports 
reform of water supply, 
hygiene and sanitation services CHF 511,916  
(CHF 2,050,000 for 
4 years) 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/bangladesh/en/Hom
e/Local_Governance/WSP  
  
   IP/C/W/580/Add.4
 Page 13Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer  Duration  Mechanism 
(Agencies/Institution 
providing Technology 
Transfer)  Budget for 2011, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Water, 
Sanitation and Hygiene 
(WASH) in 
Hard to Reach Areas Bangladesh Water and Sanitation 
(public health) improved access to 
adequate WATSAN 
facilities for most vulnerable population 
living in hard to reach 
areas by providing 
innovative and 
socially adapted solutions 2011-2014 
(CHF 6,000,000 for 4 years) Development and 
promotion of context specific, replicable and 
user friendly models of 
WATSAN practices Supported by Water and 
Sanitation Programme 
(WSP) of the World 
Bank 
 CHF 1,400,000 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/bangladesh/en/Hom
e/Local_Governance/WASH  
 
Training water- 
sanitation Burkina Faso Drinking water and 
sanitation 
Technology and know-how in waste 
water management; 
policy advice 2009-open Training courses in 
Lausanne and on-site by 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne CHF 150,000 info@deza.admin.ch  
 
WTO 
Accession 
support (phase 
III)  Lao PDR Facilitate and 
accelerate Lao PDR's 
accession to the WTO 
through the provision of tailor-made policy  
advice 2010-2013 IDEAS Center Geneva CHF 650,000 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Enhancing 
sustainable tourism, clean 
production and 
export capacity 
in Lao PDR Lao PDR Trade capacity 
building Product quality 
assurance; Backward 
linkages  2010-2014 UN Cluster on Trade and 
Productive Capacity (UNIDO, ILO, ITC, 
UNCTAD, UNOPS) US$ 4,040,000 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
  IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
Page 14 
Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer  Duration  Mechanism 
(Agencies/Institution 
providing Technology 
Transfer)  Budget for 2011, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
Strengthening 
the IPR system of Lao PDR and 
bringing in line 
with WTO Lao PDR Intellectual Property 
Project  2010-2013 Swiss Federal Institute of 
Intellectual Property, Bern, Switzerland CHF 250,000 
 info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Programme 
d'appui au 
développement 
rural SAHA Madagascar Rural development 
Participatory 
bottom-up approach; 
know-how transfer, 
capacity building  2010-2012 Support to civil society 
organisations and 
municipalities through 
NGO Intercooperation, 
Switzerland CHF 3,500,000 http://www.intercooperation-
mg.org/index.php?option=com_content&v
iew=article&id=2:programme-dappui-au-
developpement-rural-saha&catid=4:nos-
projets-et-mandats&Itemid=12  
 
African Mobile 
Money Madagascar Integrate Mobile 
Money Solutions into the business models of 
MFIs 2009-2012 Cooperation between 
IFC and mobile phone companies and MFIs US$ 130,000 (until 
Dec 2011) info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
 
Common Fund 
NRWSSP Rural Water and 
Sanitation Mozambique Water and sanitation 
Improvement of  sustainable water 
supply and sanitation 
at local level especially to the poor 
both in rural and urban 
areas 2009-2012 World Bank supports 
reform of water supply, hygiene and sanitation 
services CHF 1,700,000 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/mozambique/en/Ho
me/Swiss_Development_Cooperation_in_
Mozambique  
 
Support to the 
health sector Mozambique Health; 
Health systems' 
strengthening; 
Health service delivery programmes 2011-2012 Expertise and training 
courses by the Swiss 
Tropical Institute, Basle; 
consultancy CHF 4,970,000 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/mozambique/en/Ho
me/Swiss_Development_Cooperation_in_
Mozambique  
 
Small Piped 
Water Systems Cabo Delgado Mozambique Increase effective and 
efficient water delivery and sanitation 
services  through 
capacity building of local institutions 2011-2012 
(CHF 800,000 for two years) Increase effective and 
efficient water delivery and sanitation services 
through capacity 
building of local institutions CHF 400,000 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/mozambique/en/Ho
me/Swiss_Development_Cooperation_in_
Mozambique   
   IP/C/W/580/Add.4
 Page 15Title of Project 
or Programme Country Field of Technology 
Transfer  Duration  Mechanism 
(Agencies/Institution 
providing Technology 
Transfer)  Budget for 2011, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  Contact Information  
(email or website with contact 
details) 
VSKB Vertical 
Shaft Brick Kiln Project Nepal Energy; 
Transfer of energy-efficient brick 
technology 2008-2012 Implemented by 
Skat Consulting, Switzerland CHF 617,5554 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/nepal/en/Home/Vert
ical_Shaft_Brick_Kiln_Technology_Trans
fer_Programme_VSBK_Phase_4  
Health Sector 
Reform Support Programme 
(HSRSP) Tanzania Health; 
Reform of health system in city of 
Dar es Salaam;  
prevention of tropical 
diseases (malaria) 2008-2012 
(CHF 18,600,000 
 for 3 years) Expertise and training 
courses by the Swiss Tropical Institute, Basle; 
consultancy CHF 3,100,000 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/en/Welcom
e_to_the_Swiss_Cooperation_Office_in_T
anzania/Health_and_Water  
Ifakara 
Research Institute Tanzania Improvement of 
access to malaria-related health 
research, focus on 
mother and child 2009-2013 
(CHF 2,060,000 for 4 years) Expertise by the Swiss 
Tropical Institute Basle Switzerland CHF 350,000 
http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/en/Welcom
e_to_the_Swiss_Cooperation_Office_in_T
anzania/Health_and_Water  
WASH Water 
Sanitation and 
Hygiene Tanzania Promotion of health , 
create greater 
synergies between 
water and health 2011-2014 
(CHF 4,950,000 
for 3 years) UNICEF/UNDAP CHF 3,000,000 http://www.swiss-
cooperation.admin.ch/tanzania/  
 
 
Africa Credit 
Bureau 
Programme; 
SECO-IFC/PEP Access to 
Finance 
programme Tanzania Setting up of a 
privately managed 
Credit Bureau  until end 2011 IFC supports the 
establishment of the 
public registry. Staff 
have been trained. US$ 390,000  info.cooperation@seco.admin.ch  
  
  IP/C/W/580/Add.4 
Page 16 
ANNEX II  
 
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LDC s 
 
Several research programmes and funds were  available until 2012 for research partners hips 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 devel opment. Research projects of th e NCCR North-South are implemente d in 
collaboration with Swiss scientific institutions and partner institu tions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  The SDC finances the partners in 
developing and transition countries. 
 
 The SNSF-SDC programme "Research Partnerships with Developing Countries " provides grants for partnership research projects between a 
Swiss university and a research institution from a developing country. 
 
 The programme "Promotion of Research Partnerships between Developing and Transition Countries and the Swiss Universities of Applied 
Sciences " supports initiatives of the Swiss Universities of Applied Scien ces in their efforts to advance applied research and developmen t by way of 
partnerships with developi ng or transition countries. 
 
 The "Scientific Cooperation Fund EPFL-SDC " provides grants for partnership research project s between one of the EPFL's research units and a 
research institution from a developing country.  
 SDC used to invest approximately CHF 6 million per year in this  type of international scientif ic cooperation with developing co untries. 
 
Starting from 2013, the Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development – r4d ( http://www.r4d.ch ) – will be operating with SNSF.  The 
new r4d puts together and replaces the four aforementioned develo pment research funds. R4d is e ndowed with CHF 97.6m over 2013- 2022.  Its aim is to 
fund research on global challenges likely to involve technology tran sfer as a partnership between Swiss researchers and develop ing countries' researchers, 
including those from LDCs. 
 
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