WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
18 October 2010 
 
 (10-5362) 
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 7 October 2010, 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 update to last year's new deta iled report (IP/C/W/536/Add.3 of 
20 October 2009).  The report reflects all ne w relevant developments in Switzerland. 
3. In 2009, Switzerland thoroughly reviewed the cont ent and format of its reports from previous 
years, taking into particular account the co mments made by LDCs at the WTO workshop on 
Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, which was he ld on 27 October 2008 in Geneva, as well as the 
conclusions from the discussion at that workshop.  In addition, the analysis of the Members' reports 
by academics and organisations were reviewed in or der to explore ways to better facilitate technology 
transfer and better document related measures in futu re reports.  The re-evaluation of the format and 
content of the Swiss report 2008 showed no need fo r major systemic amendments.  In drafting the 
new report, an emphasis was put on the following points:  (i) further clarification of the term 
"technology transfer" based on the UN definition;  (ii)  a focus on measures which are solely or at least 
mainly targeted at LDCs;  (iii) the addition of a new category of Global Projects in Annex I of the 
report;  and (iv) a limitation to projects with a budget value of a minimum of Sw F 100,000. IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
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 the accepted UN definition, whic h have already previously been used by other 
Members in their reports:  (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), commercial lending and equity investment 
are all important channels through which technolog y transfer is financed.  The present report is 
focused on technology transfer under ODA financi ng. 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.  
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, regional and multilatera l initiatives and is primarily aimed at a selected 
group of priority countries in Latin America, A frica, Central and South East Asia and southeastern 
Europe.  Many of the projects contract Swiss as we ll as other deve loped country Members' enterprises 
and institutions to provide thei r knowledge and technology in assis ting the development of human 
capital, infrastructure and private sector enterprises in LDCs.  IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
 Page 3 
 
 
  9. At the multilateral level, Switzerland contributes to a variety of technical assistance trust 
funds with the World Bank Group and the regional development banks.  These funds are available to 
project managers of these banks seeking funding for technical assistance and technology transfer.  
Besides cooperation with these financ ial institutions, Switzerland is al so engaged in the development 
projects of many other international organisations  such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the 
United Nations Industrial Devel opment Organization (UNIDO), the World Intellectual Property 
Organization (WIPO), the United Nations De velopment Programme (UNDP), the Food and 
Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the 
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). 
10. Switzerland supports various bilateral and multilate ral projects in order to promote investment 
as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of trade.  In investment promotion, the incentives of the 
Swiss ODA Programme aim at m obilising private capital, know-how and technologies to strengthen 
the financial intermediation system in LDCs as well as transferring know-how and technology to 
foster investments or joint ventures.  Concerning trade promotion, Switzerland cooperates mostly with 
other bilateral or multilateral agencies.  Trade-relate d assistance to LDCs is mainly delivered through 
multilateral programmes and organisations such as th e Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and the 
UN Interagency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capac ities.  Herein, special thematic partnerships 
are maintained with ITC, UNCTAD, ILO and UNIDO. 
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 transf er of modern technology and of capital 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 LD Cs by supporting small and medium-sized 
enterprises (SMEs) in several ways.  For instance,  it provides localised technical support for SMEs 
domiciled in LDCs such as Bangladesh, Benin and Mali.  In Bangladesh, Switzerland spends about 
Sw F 13 million annually for development projects, pa rt of which is spent on technical and financial 
support for SMEs. 
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 manage rial expertise through this process.  The Start-up Fund has 
actively supported SME activities in LDCs or countri es in transition through more than 69 projects, 
such as mango processing in Burkina Fa so and coffee processing in Zambia. IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
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 enga ged in technology transfer to LDCs (see 
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 relate d 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 is one of the investors in the Fonds de Garantie des Investissements Privés en 
Afrique de l'Ouest (Fonds GARI ).  The goal of this fund is to fac ilitate the access of private enterprises 
to loans by guaranteeing the risk s for such operations.  The fund provides guarantees to enterprises 
active in industrial manufacturing, agro-industry, fishery, mining, tourism, agriculture and services.  Those eligible to draw from the fund are enterpri ses from, among others, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape 
Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Li beria, Mali, Niger and Sierra Leone. 
16. 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 credit enhances local 
currency debt issuance by private, municipal and pa rastatal entities for infrast ructure projects in lower 
income countries around the world.  Finally, it supp orts InfraCo (Africa) which develops projects by 
taking on the high costs and risks of early stage project development, and makes infrastructure 
projects happen in situations where the private sector would not otherwise be willing or able to invest.  
There are currently active projects in Cape Ve rde, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 
Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.  
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 Bette r Initiative and a mortgage market development 
project in Burkina Faso, the Credit Bureau and Mobile Money Programmes, the SME Initiative and 
investment promotion (matchmaking) project in Mozambique, and the Africa Leasing Programme.  The Mekong Project Development Facility (inclu ding Lao PDR and Cambodia) assists SMEs in a 
variety of areas such as business planning, identify ing potential lenders or  investors, marketing 
strategy, technical and operational assistance, quality control and certification, accounting and 
management information systems, etc.   
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 (Sw F 8.4 million), 
the GroFin East Africa Fund (Sw F 3.6 million), the African Infrastructure Fund (Sw F 12 million), the SEAF Blue Waters Growth Fund (Sw F 8.4 m illion), and the responsAbility Investment Fund in 
combination with a separate TA fund (start-up m oney from the Swiss government of Sw F 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 commercial 
establishment of companies from LDCs in Switzerland or  other industrialised countries. With its trade  IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
 Page 5 
 
 
  promotion activities, SIPPO helps SMEs in deve loping countries and countries in transition to 
improve their market access to Switzerland and the Eu ropean Union.  It also assists Swiss importers in 
finding new products and sources.  For example, as a result of the partnership between the SIPPO and 
Bangladesh, products from Bangladesh benefit fr om improved market access in Switzerland.  
Additionally, in order to promote consumer awareness for such products, Switzerland provides 
services such as marketing consultancy, business pa rtner search, training in export marketing and 
support for participation in trade fairs to companies domiciled in 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 Sw F 1 million each have been established 
in this field with Cambodia and Lao PDR. 
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 opportunities in megacities.  Over 50 per cent of the world's population live in IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
Page 6  
 
  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 
Sw F 5 million for the period 2010-2012. 
26. With specific trade facilitation 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 developm ent of specialty coffee and cashew nuts and aims 
at improving the country's quality infrastructure (e .g. the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards, the  
Weights and Measure Agency and the Tanzania F ood and Drug Authority) to assure compliance with 
international technical barriers for trade a nd sanitary and phytosanitary measures system 
requirements.  In the context of the Enhanced In tegrated Framework (EIF), Switzerland has joined 
forces with the CEB UN Cluster on trade and produc tive capacities to support LDCs’ integration into 
the world trading system.  A first pilot count ry programme has been launched in Lao PDR. 
E. T
RAINING  
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 specifi cally to benefit LDCs.  For example, qualified 
applicants from LDCs regularly attend an intell ectual property training course normally held every 
year for three months in three successive places:  first at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva, then at 
the " Centre d'Etudes Internationales de la Propriété Industrielle " in Strasbourg and finally at the 
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property in Berne. 
28. 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  
29. 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" pr ogramme.  The programme aims at halving the 
world's malaria burden by the year 2010.  SDC prom otes research partnerships in a number of LDCs, 
including 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 Universiti es of Applied Science, and the Scientific 
Cooperation Fund implemented by the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. 
G. O
THER INSTRUMENTS  
30. In addition to the activities mentioned ab ove, Switzerland has also engaged in 
capacity-building in and technology transfer to developing and least-developed countries according to 
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its provisions on access and benefit-sharing.  
Switzerland is also supporting the BioTrade Initiativ e of the United Nations Conference on Trade and  IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
 Page 7 
 
 
  Development, which shall promote trade and inv estments in products and services derived from the 
sustainable use of biodiversity. 
31. Last year's report introduced the work bei ng carried out under the auspices of the Swiss 
Federal Institute of Technology relating to systemic qu estions that technology transfers to LDCs raise.  
The effort of the so-called Lausanne Group (LG) is aimed at finding new ways of promoting, 
incentivising and testing models for technology transf er, e.g. by means of public-private partnerships 
or similar specialised agencies or entities.  One ma jor goal of the LG is to find vehicles that help 
better match supply and demand of technology in de veloped countries and LDCs respectively.  In a 
meeting held in April 2010, the LG discussed, inter alia , the role of third agents necessary to 
coordinate the different elements  of a technology transfer trans action between an industrialised 
country and an LDC, the idea of an accreditation system for validation of the intermediary's 
competence to support the technology transfer, as we ll as the means of funding the transaction.  The 
LG found that a large number of  new projects launc hed involving technology transfer to LDCs do not 
overcome the hurdle of getting beyond the pilot phase.   There is a gap between the pre-commercial 
phase and the point when the project becomes commercially viable and a long-term sustainable 
operation.  One of the main challenges to be fu rther explored is the bridging of that gap. 
V. DOMAINS OF SWISS TECHNOL OGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES 
32. 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 
health, water supply and sanitation, agriculture, food  industry, machine industry, textiles, chemical 
industry, clean energy and eco-technology and intellectual property protection.  For an overview of 
ongoing projects, see Annex I and II. 
33. 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. 
34. 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 Sw F 35 million annually on technolog y transfer to Mozambique, 
particularly in the domains of public health and sustainable water supply. 
35. 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 and thereby encouragin g 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 
36. 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 IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
Page 8  
 
  activities and reporting in this regard.  Over the past few years, Members have come to a better 
understanding of what the terms 'technology transfer ' and 'incentive' should cover in the context of 
implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Ag reement.  This understa nding and the continued 
dialogue between developed countri es 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 eff ectively incentivising enterprises to transfer suitable 
technology and know-how to LDCs, always keep ing in mind the wider context and framework 
conditions of governmental and priv ate engagements aimed at building local capacity and fostering 
sustainable development in LDCs. 
37. 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. 
38. Multilateral initiatives to relieve countries of heavy debts along with effective national 
policies for poverty alleviation and sustainable deve lopment both enable LDCs to actively participate 
in technology transfer and capacity-building initia tives under Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement.  
All combined efforts and measures at the nationa l level in developed Members' countries and in 
LDCs, as well as efforts at the international leve l, will over time lead to an increased rate of 
technology transfer with the desired spillover eff ects, thereby boosting levels of technology and 
commerce in LDCs and therew ith economic development.  IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
 Page 9 
 
 
  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, interregiona l and global levels. 
 
Country Field  Knowledge/ 
Technology  Mechanism  Budget for 2009, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  
Global Projects1 
Global, incl. 
Madagascar, 
Senegal, Mali  Renewable energy, 
energy efficiency Wind, solar, biomass, 
geothermal, 
hydropower energy 
(www.repic.ch) REPIC - Swiss platform 
for Renewable Energy 
Promotion in International 
cooperation  Sw F 4,000,000 
(2007-2010) 
Global, incl. 
Cambodia, Lao 
PDR,   Industry / 
environment Cleaner production: 
Identification and 
implementation of 
Environmentally Sound Technologies Training of consultants, 
company assessments, 
together with UNIDO, 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Material 
Testing EMPA Sw F 2,000,000 
per year 
Global, incl. 
Uganda  Biodiversity Biotrade products, 
under sustainable management plans UNCTAD; consultancy Sw F 3,000,000 
(2008-2011) 
Global, with 
focus on sub-
Saharan Africa  CDM capacity 
building CDM-methodologies; 
institutional capacity of 
Designated National 
Authorities World Bank (CF Assist); 
consultancy; knowledge 
transfer in host country 
committee; CDM fairs Sw F 5,000,000 
(2010-2012) 
Global,  incl. 
Lao PDR Trade capacity 
building Product quality 
assurance UN cluster "trade + 
productive capacity" UNIDO, ILO, ITC, 
UNCTAD Sw F 4,000,000 
(2010-2013) 
Single Countries / bilateral Projects 
Bangladesh Water and 
sanitation (Public health) Arsenic mitigation in 
water;  arsenic free water harvesting 
technologies; 
prevention and treatment of infectious 
diseases Local adaptation of 
technologies with Skat consulting; test kits with 
Swiss Federal Institute of 
Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). 
Joint research with 
University Berne Sw F 100,000 
Bangladesh Water and 
sanitation Improvement of  
sustainable water 
supply and sanitation, 
especially to the poor 
both in rural and urban 
areas World Bank supports 
reform of water supply, 
hygiene and sanitation 
services Sw F 488,647 
Burkina Faso Drinking water 
and sanitation Technology and know-
how in waste water 
management; policy 
advice Training courses in 
Lausanne and on-site by 
Swiss Federal Institute of 
Technology, Lausanne Sw F 840,000 
Per year 
                                                      
1 These projects cover both developing countries and LDCs.  An estimated 20 per cent of the amounts 
are allocated in LDCs. IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
Page 10  
 
  Country Field  Knowledge/ 
Technology  Mechanism  Budget for 2009, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  
Lao PDR  Agriculture  
(lowland irrigated 
rice) Irrigation research and 
extension Irrigated Rice Research 
Consortium (regional 
platform) Sw F 1,300,000 
(Lao PDR 
component) 
Madagascar Rural development Participatory bottom-up 
approach; know how 
transfer Consultancy project 
management support by 
NGO Intercooperation, Switzerland Sw F 4,000,000 
Mali Promotion of trade 
in organic cotton Marketing knowledge; 
establishment of direct 
links between producers in Mali and 
Swiss importers Consultants work with the 
marketing boards and local 
producers; development of locally produced, natural 
pesticides. Sw F 1,000,000 
(2005-2012) 
Mozambique Water and 
sanitation Improvement of  
sustainable water supply and sanitation, 
especially to the poor 
both in rural and urban areas World Bank supports 
reform of water supply, hygiene and sanitation 
services Sw F 239,400 
Nepal Energy Transfer of energy 
efficient brick 
technology  Implemented by 
Skat Consulting, 
Switzerland Sw F 1,120,000 
Niger Water and 
sanitation Improvement of  
sustainable water 
supply and sanitation, 
especially to the poor 
both in rural and urban 
areas World Bank supports 
reform of water supply, 
hygiene and sanitation 
services Sw F 205,800 
Tanzania Health Reform of health 
system in city of Dar es 
Salaam;  prevention of 
tropical diseases (malaria) Expertise and training 
courses by the Swiss 
Tropical Institute, Basle; 
consultancy Sw F 6,500,000  IP/C/W/551/Add.2 
 Page 11 
 
 
  ANNEX II  
 
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LDC s 
 
Several research programmes and funds are availabl e for research partnerships between Switzerland 
and developing countries, including LDCs: 
 
• "NCCR North-South"  is one of the National Centres of Competence in Research of the Swiss 
National Science Foundation (SNSF). The SNSF North-South supports research in the field of sustainable development. Research projects of the SNSF North-South are implemented in collaboration with Swiss scientific institutions and partner institutions in Africa, Asia and 
Latin America. The SDC finances the partners in developing and transformation 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 Sciences in their effort s to advance applied research and development 
by way of partnerships with de veloping 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 invests approximately Sw F 6 million per year in  this type of international scientific cooperation 
with developing countries.  At the date of conclusion of this report, th e budget figures for each LDC involved were not yet 
available.  The relevant LDCs and figur es will be listed in the next annual report.
 
 
 
__________