What Swiss Import Promotion Programme does

The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) is a Swiss government trade promotion mandate operated by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) within the framework of Switzerland's economic development cooperation, and implemented by Swisscontact in partnership with BHP Brugger and Partners and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation. SIPPO's core function is institutional capacity-building rather than commercial trade intermediation: it strengthens Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in 11 partner countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Indonesia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Vietnam) so that those BSOs in turn can deliver professional export promotion services to export-ready companies across six target sectors - Fish & Seafood, Processed Foods, Natural Ingredients, Technical Wood, Value-added Textiles, and Sustainable Tourism.

SIPPO's service portfolio comprises six integrated offerings: the Trade Promotion Academy (TPA) e-learning platform for continuous BSO capacity development; the ITC-developed Global Trade Help Desk (GTH) for tracking market demand, export potential, tariffs, and regulatory requirements; Knowledge Management and Networking services; Strategic Planning support; Project and Performance Management (including CRM and MEL instrumentation); and Market Access Activities coordination (trade fair participation, selling missions, buyer missions, study tours, on-site visits). The headquarters sits in Bern, with country representatives in each of the 11 partner markets and a biennial SIPPO Import Forum in Zurich linking BSOs with Swiss importer networks.

The business model is donor-funded rather than commercial. SECO provides grant funding for three sequential mandate phases: Phase 1 (2017-2021), Phase 2 (2021-2025), and Phase 3 (2026-2029), with the third phase explicitly the final phase designated for consolidation and programme closure in 2029. Services to BSOs are delivered at no cost, and there is no commercial revenue stream. GTM is delivered through a tiered partner channel of 50+ BSOs plus the European TRIC network of peer trade promotion organisations (IPD, CBI, Enabel, ITC, FCDO, Finnpartnership, OTGS, IHA).

Name

Swiss Import Promotion Programme

Legal name

SIPPO (Swiss Import Promotion Programme)

Website

https://sippo.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) is a SECO-funded development mandate, implemented by Swisscontact, that builds export promotion capacity in 50+ Business Support Organisations across 11 partner countries spanning six sectors, with planned programme closure in 2029.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Promotion and Export Development Services

akta.pro primary industry

Export Promotion & Market Access Support (BPADAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Value Chain Development & Supplier Upgrading (BPADAMAI)

Keywords

• Trade promotion services
• Export capacity building
• Market access facilitation
• BSO development
• Development cooperation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Development Programme Funding: SIPPO is funded as a mandate of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) within the framework of economic development cooperation. It is not a revenue-generating commercial entity but rather a donor-funded programme that provides services to BSOs at no cost.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) is a Swiss government-funded development cooperation mandate that strengthens the export promotion capacity of Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in 11 partner countries. The programme delivers capacity building, market intelligence, B2B matchmaking, trade fair participation, selling and buyer missions, and an e-learning Trade Promotion Academy, helping BSOs enable export-ready companies in sectors such as Fish & Seafood, Processed Foods, Natural Ingredients, Technical Wood, Value-added Textiles, and Sustainable Tourism to access EU and Swiss markets.

Product overview

The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) is a unified trade promotion support programme that does not operate as a typical software platform with modular products. Instead, it provides an integrated suite of capacity-building services for Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in 11 partner countries. The core offerings include the Trade Promotion Academy (an e-learning platform), the Global Trade Help Desk (trade intelligence tool), Knowledge Management and Networking services, Strategic Planning support, Project and Performance Management tools, and Market Access Activities coordination. These services work together to strengthen export promotion capabilities of BSOs, enabling them to better support export-ready companies in sectors including Fish & Seafood, Processed Foods, Natural Ingredients, Technical Wood, Value-added Textiles, and Sustainable Tourism. The programme operates in three phases (2017-2021, 2021-2025, 2026-2029) and is funded by SECO and implemented by Swisscontact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trade Promotion Academy (TPA): An e-learning platform providing continuous acquisition of skills and improvement of core export promotion services, market access knowledge and institutional development.

Products and services

• Trade Promotion Academy (TPA)
• Global Trade Help Desk (GTH) Access
• Market Access Activities Coordination
• Strategic Planning Support
• Project and Performance Management Support
• SIPPO Import Forum

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core implementing organisation, implementing partner, strategic network and network partner.

• Swisscontactcore implementing organisationImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSwisscontact is the independent international development foundation implementing SIPPO since 2017. With operations in 33 countries and over 1,100 staff, Swisscontact fosters economic, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly development focusing on strengthening SME performance, market access, and local economic development.
• BHP Brugger and Partners Ltd.implementing partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerA consulting firm with about 18 employees advising clients for 40 years on customised strategies and sustainable business practices. Core competencies include conceiving, organising, and moderating international conferences, expert workshops, and complex stakeholder processes.
• HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperationimplementing partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAn international development organisation founded in 1955, politically and religiously non-denominational with around 43,000 members, 40,000 sponsors, and 15 regional groups. Has extensive experience in fair trade development and vocational education.
• TRIC Networkstrategic networkStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRIC (Trade Related Instruments Connected) is a cooperation initiative between European trade promotion organisations to create a network of exchange, mutual learning, and project synergies. SIPPO has hosted the TRIC Coordinator position since 2020. Member organisations include IPD (Germany), CBI (Netherlands), Enabel/TDC (Belgium), FCDO (UK), Finnpartnership (Finland), IHA (Austria), ITC (UN), and OTGS (Sweden).
• ITC (International Trade Centre)network partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 1964, ITC is the joint agency of the United Nations and WTO, dedicated to SME development. ITC helps build vibrant, sustainable export sectors providing entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for women, young people, and poor communities. ITC developed the Global Trade Help Desk used by SIPPO.
• CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries, Netherlands)network partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Netherlands Enterprise Agency, funded by Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Established in 1971, CBI supports export promotion boards in partner countries and offers B2B matchmaking services. Expanded from Netherlands to greater EU in 1991.
• IPD (Import Promotion Desk, Germany)network partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative for import promotion in Germany, funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Serves as link between German importers and exporters from developing countries, accompanying clients during entire procurement process with aim of sustainable, well-structured import promotion.
• Enabel/TDC (Belgian Development Agency)network partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment agency of Belgian federal government implementing Belgium's international development policy. Trade for Development Centre (TDC) supports fair and sustainable trade, promotes responsible consumption, provides capacity building and financial assistance to MSMEs in Africa.
• Finnpartnership (Finnish Business Partnership Programme)network partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partnership programme funded by Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, managed by Finnfund. Aims to generate positive development impacts by promoting business between Finland and developing countries through funding, contacts, and advisory services.
• OTGS (Open Trade Gate Sweden)network partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of National Board of Trade Sweden, one-stop information centre facilitating trade from developing countries to Sweden. Assists with product-specific requirements, arranges seminars on exports to Sweden, and works on longer-term capacity building projects.
• FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK)network partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnites development and diplomacy focusing on economic security. Growth Gateway and Trade Connect programmes support both UK and African businesses to unlock trade, investment, and development impact.
• IHA (Austrian Retail Association / Handelsverband)network partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpokesman and partner of Austrian retail companies since 1921, also active as political independent advocacy group and innovation platform. Represents numerous companies of various specializations as partners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Swisscontact: Independent Swiss international development foundation implementing SIPPO since 2017, with operations in 33 countries and over 1,100 staff focused on SME strengthening, market access, and local economic development. As SIPPO's implementation partner, it is an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
• Handel Schweiz (Swiss Trade Association): Umbrella organisation of Swiss commerce under whose auspices SIPPO operates. Provides institutional oversight of SIPPO and is part of the broader Swiss trade ecosystem rather than a direct trade promotion peer.
• Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation: Swiss international development organisation founded in 1955 with extensive experience in fair trade development and vocational education. It is an implementing partner of SIPPO and an adjacent ecosystem player in Swiss development cooperation.

Direct peers

• Import Promotion Desk (IPD): German import promotion initiative funded by BMZ that links German importers with exporters from developing countries and accompanies clients through the procurement process. IPD is a direct European peer of SIPPO and a TRIC Network partner.
• Enabel / Trade for Development Centre (TDC): Belgian development agency implementing Belgium's international development policy, with TDC supporting fair and sustainable trade and providing capacity building to MSMEs in Africa. TDC is a TRIC Network partner and a direct peer in EU-funded import promotion.
• Open Trade Gate Sweden (OTGS): Part of Sweden's National Board of Trade, OTGS is a one-stop information centre facilitating trade from developing countries to Sweden and running longer-term capacity building projects. OTGS is a TRIC Network partner with an identical import promotion mandate as SIPPO.
• Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI): Part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. CBI supports export promotion boards in partner countries and provides B2B matchmaking services into the EU market, making it a direct functional peer of SIPPO within the TRIC Network.
• Finnpartnership: Finnish business partnership programme funded by Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs and managed by Finnfund, promoting business between Finland and developing countries through funding, contacts, and advisory services. A TRIC Network partner and direct institutional peer of SIPPO.

Broad incumbents

• International Trade Centre (ITC): Joint UN/WTO agency established in 1964 dedicated to SME development and developing vibrant, sustainable export sectors. ITC developed the Global Trade Help Desk used by SIPPO and is a TRIC Network partner, serving as a broader multilateral incumbent in the same space.
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - Trade Connect / Growth Gateway: UK government department uniting development and diplomacy with Growth Gateway and Trade Connect programmes supporting UK and African businesses to unlock trade and investment. A TRIC Network peer with a broader incumbent mandate than SIPPO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swiss-import-promotion-programme

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Swiss Import Promotion Programme