Swiss Import Promotion Programme

The project

The Swiss Import Promotion Programme SIPPO works with a systemic approach. Instead of focusing on individual companies, it puts BSOs in the centre of the programme. These BSOs provide professional ‘last mile services’ to companies intending to export.

SIPPO enhances the performance of the selected BSOs. They promote local export-oriented companies with a qualitative set of services. With this, BSOs can specifically improve export promotion services in specific economic sectors and boost the export performance of export-oriented companies in their countries by providing them with high-quality market information, B2B matchmaking services and enhanced networking opportunities. With SIPPO's support, BSOs ultimately contribute to increased income and more and better jobs.

This BSO-focused approach of SIPPO is decentralised, utilizing local know-how and developing a high commitment of local actors. The approach has proven successful in previous Phases and will be further expanded in Phase 3. SIPPO continues to work on developing the capacities of selected BSOs, putting focus on the Transversal Topics of Sustainability and Digitalisation, to ensure more and better export promotion services are available, to a wider range of export-oriented SMEs, in the intervention Countries.

In addition, SIPPO creates synergies by working locally with other Swiss development cooperation programmes.

Activities in 6 sectors

SIPPO is active in six sectors:

• Fish & Seafood
• Processed Food
• Natural Ingredients
• Technical Wood
• Value-Added textiles
• Sustainable Tourism

Expected results/outcomes

• BSOs develop more purposeful export promotion services, professionalise these export promotion services, improving their organizational capacities, and make them available to a wider range of SMEs.
• Export-oriented companies in the target countries have access to more, better and more inclusive export promotion services of BSOs.
• Export-oriented companies sign new export contracts.
• Increase in the number of jobs in sectors supported by SIPPO.

Project Partners

• BHP Brugger & Partner
• HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation

Collaboration with BSOs

SIPPO supports the BSOs through tailor-made capacity development in two areas:

1. Improving BSO activities for entering new markets, through capacity development in market research, trade fair participation, selling missions, buyer missions and study tours.
2. Supporting BSOs in organisational development, strategic planning and positioning, project cycle management, knowledge sharing and continuous learning.

The BSOs decide to what extent they use SIPPO services. This is entirely their responsibility. BSOs that want to explore new potential opportunities for their export-oriented companies and improve access to new markets can use these "last mile services" according to their needs.