SIPPO

The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO), mandated by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), aims to integrate developing and transition countries into global trade. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on individual companies, SIPPO emphasizes support for Business Support Organisations (BSOs), which are key to the programme. These BSOs, which may be public or private entities like trade promotion agencies or chambers of commerce, assist companies in enhancing their export capabilities through professional export promotion services.

Operating in 11 partner countries, SIPPO supports over 40 BSOs across six sectors: Fish & Seafood, Processed Foods, Natural Ingredients, Technical Wood, Value Added Textiles, and Sustainable Tourism. Swisscontact has managed SIPPO since 2017, in collaboration with BHP Brugger and Partners and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, and is currently in its second phase (2021-2025).