1. Home
  2. What we do
  3. Expertise
  4. Trade

Trade: Promoting inclusive, sustainable and greener cross-border trade

We are committed to fair, inclusive and sustainable economic structures and trade in developing countries. To promote cross-border trade and economic growth in developing countries, our projects strengthen production and value creation, reduce trade and structural barriers, and open up new market opportunities. We work with small and medium sized enterprises, governmental bodies, regulators and other critical organisations, such as payment providers, sector associations or certification bodies, to integrate developing countries better into global value chains.

Support fair trade projects now.

Contact us.

What matters in international trade

Sustainable trade is only effective when it is inclusive and equitable. That’s why Swisscontact advocates for international trade that works for smaller enterprises too.

  • Production: We amplify capacities of producers and enterprises to innovate, diversify and add value, enhancing their competitiveness, productivity, sustainability and growth.
  • Transit: We improve, simplify and digitize trade related services, structures and processes enabling enterprises to benefit from free, fair and efficient trade.
  • Markets: We enhance market access and trade promotion to help enterprises diversify buyers, enter new markets, and increase export volumes.

From project to impact: Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO)

SIPPO supports business support organisations (BSOs) in delivering export promotion services to export-ready companies more effectively. Support in market research, B2B matchmaking, and networking is seamlessly integrated into existing export promotion structures. SIPPO works with BSO partners committed to sustainable trade – socially responsible and environmentally friendly – of goods and services.

Our approaches

  1. Understanding industries and global value chains to tailor solutions
    The barriers to inclusive, sustainable and greener trade and development are complex and require solutions that recognise the intricate interdependencies of actors and challenges. We identify the underlying trade challenges and key environmental risks faced by small and medium enterprises within their specific socio-economic context. This allows us to propose tailored and holistic solutions to our partners.
  2. Greening industries and trade
    Tackling ecological and climate change challenges are essential to economic and social development. We foster climate change mitigation and adaptation by promotion environmental-friendly products, solutions and practices that transform industries and value chains.
  3. Systemic impacts
    We strengthen the services, functions and processes of local actors that
    - facilitate producers and enterprises to improve productivity, competitiveness, sustainability and growth
    - enable goods and services to move faster and better from producers to exporters and across the border
    - improve market access and linkages for producers and buyers
    This ensures that changes benefitting small and medium enterprises and creating a better enabling environment sustain and scale over time.

Want to help shape fair trade?

We’ll support you.

Jane Gisin
[email protected]

Contact Us

Projects trade

All projects

News Trade Facilitation

All news
Comprehensive development for sustainable prosperity
We strengthen individual skills to secure income, foster business competitiveness, and improve socio-economic systems. In doing so, we make lasting contributions to social and economic development.
Learn more