SIPPO Partners

SECO's Economic Cooperation and Development division plans and implements economic and trade policy initiatives for the benefit of developing countries, transitional countries in Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the new EU member states. With roughly 500 ongoing programmes, SECO supports the integration and competitiveness of its partner countries in the South and East. Promoting sustainable trade is a key objective.

Swisscontact is an independent international development foundation with close ties to the private sector. Working in 33 countries with over 1, 100 staff, Swisscontact has been fostering economic, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly development since 1959. A core area of focus is strengthening the performance and competitiveness of SMEs through sustainable value chain interventions, improved market access, and local economic development.

This consulting firm has about 20 employees and has - for 30 years - been advising domestic and international clients from the private sector, government, non-profits, and universities around developing customised strategies, as well as implementing sustainable business practices, products and services. One of its core competencies is conceiving, organising and moderating international conferences, expert workshops and complex stakeholder processes.

HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation is an international development organisation and was founded in 1955 as the first Swiss private organisation in this field. Helvetas is a politically and religiously non-denominational organisation with around 43, 000 members, 40, 000 sponsors, and 15 regional groups. Helvetas has many years’ experience developing and promoting fair trade, as well as vocational education.

The Import Promotion Desk (IPD) is the initiative for import promotion in Germany, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
It serves as a link between German importers and exporters from selected developing countries and emerging nations.
The IPD accompanies its clients during the entire procurement process with the aim of a sustainable and well-structured import promotion - in compliance with high quality, social and environmental standards. 

CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Established in 1971 to facilitate market access in the Netherlands for producers and exporters, today CBI supports export promotion boards in its partner countries and offers B2B matchmaking services for importers and exporters. In 1991, CBI expanded its activities from the Netherlands to the greater EU.

Enabel is the development agency of the Belgian federal government, implementing Belgium’s international development policy. Enabel is carrying out assignments for Belgian and international third-party donors. 

The Trade for Development Centre (TDC), a programme hosted by Enabel, supports fair and sustainable trade and promotes responsible consumption. It provides information, raises awareness and, in Africa, provides capacity building and financial assistance to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises or their support entities.  

FCDO unites development and diplomacy in one department, focusing on economic security. Growth Gateway and Trade Connect are programmes that support both UK and African businesses to unlock trade, investment, and development impact. 

Finnpartnership is a business partnership programme funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and managed by Finnfund. The programme aims to generate positive development impacts by promoting business between Finland and developing countries. Finnpartnership offers funding, contacts and advisory services, which can be used to assess business opportunities in developing countries. 

As the spokesman and partner of the Austrian retail companies since 1921, the Austrian Retail Association / Handelsverband is also active as a political independent advocacy group and innovation platform in order to accompany its members in the context of changing market challenges. 

In addition to its members, numerous companies of various specializations are associated with the Austrian Retails Association as partners. 

Established in 1964, ITC is the joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. ITC is the only international agency fully dedicated to the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Working with partners to strengthen the competitiveness of small business exporters, ITC helps to build vibrant, sustainable export sectors that provide entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for women, young people, and poor communities. 

Open Trade Gate Sweden is part of the National Board of Trade Sweden. It is a one-stop information centre, facilitating trade from developing countries to Sweden. OTGS works together with exporters in developing countries, same as export promotion organisations. OTGS assists with product-specific requirements and arrange seminars and webinars on exports to Sweden. Further on, OTGS works in longer-term projects, aiming at building capacity and export readiness as well as facilitating exports to Sweden and the EU. 

Read more about the collaboration among TRIC members in 2023