Digitalisation

Digitalisation is one of two cross-cutting topics that is at the core of SIPPO s activities with partner Business Support Organisations (BSOs). SIPPO s digitalisation concept works with a holistic framework for digital transformation, which guides the program and its beneficiaries into taking more data-driven decisions. SIPPO aims to achieve its vision of sustainable and inclusive economic growth by achieving the following strategic outcomes:

• BSOs in partner countries improve market access for more sustainable products and services, by improving their export-promotion services, strengthening their institutional capacities and networks with the help of SIPPO 

• Swiss Cooperation Projects (SCPs) use SIPPO s  last-mile  knowledge to implement market access activities

• Relevant stakeholders in non-priority countries access and use SIPPO s  last-mile  advisory services 

To achieve these goals, SIPPO identified the five most beneficial areas regarding the development of digital capacities, namely:

Digital networking
SIPPO wants to promote effective networking between BSOs to help create a more cohesive and effective business ecosystem. By providing expert services, SIPPO wants to strengthen the relationship between BSOs and enable them to stay up to date with industry developments, to improve BSO ability to provide valuable support to SMEs.

Digital advice and knowledge sharing
SIPPO intends to enable cross-county knowledge sharing through the SIPPO Library. Here, BSOs will be able to obtain up to date knowledge resources, learn from each other and access valuable information without redundant of conflicting data. The SIPPO Library can be found on SIPPO s longstanding e-learning platform, the Trade Promotion Academy (see below).

Training platforms
SIPPO aims to enable their partner BSOs to effectively work with and train/advice their SMEs by enhancing training opportunities for the BSOS through the Trade Promotion Academy (TPA). 

Relationship management and trade platforms
SIPPO works towards facilitating business, by sharing knowledge on how BSOs can set up digital relationship management systems allowing them to have more efficient matchmaking between sellers and buyers. Furthermore, knowledge on the efficient use of trade platforms will allow BSOs to bridge the  last mile  more successfully. 

Reporting and Market Intelligence
SIPPO fosters more fact-based decisions by helping BSOs enhance their capability to gather market relevant insights, leading to increased quality of service to the SMEs through better understanding of market trends and emerging technologies. 

Enhancing BSO knowledge in these five digital capacity fields, along with other enablers, will support SIPPO in promoting sustainable business services of the BSOs.