SECO Economic Cooperation and Development A brief portrait

Transcription

1 SECO Economic Cooperation and Development A brief portrait

2 WHO ARE WE? The division The Economic Cooperation and Development Division is part of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. It plans and implements economic and trade policy measures to support developing countries, Eastern European and the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as the new member states of the European Union. These measures are an important building block of Switzerland s international cooperation. Our goal is to promote sustainable growth in economic, ecological and social terms. For us, growth is sustainable if it creates jobs, helps to increase productivity, to reduce poverty, inequalities and global risks. Our strategy is to help integrate partner countries into the global economy and enhance their competitive position by implementing measures in the following areas: strengthening economic and financial policy; improving urban infrastructure and utilities; supporting the private sector and entrepreneurship; promoting sustainable trade; fostering climate-friendly growth. Economic governance and gender equality are the two cross-cutting themes to be applied throughout all our activities. We also coordinate Switzerland s relationship with the World Bank Group, regional development banks and several economic organisations of the United Nations. Focus on results SECO ensures that all of its programs are aligned with the framework of national and international development strategies, while focusing on its core competencies. An effective system of quality, continuous risk monitoring and a result-based management help to safeguard the effectiveness of measures implemented in our partner countries.

3 WHAT DO WE DO? Strengthening economic and financial policy We contribute to efficient public finances and a well developed financial sector. Both of them are essential for economic growth and poverty reduction. Economic reforms and fiscal policy improvements Promotion of a stable and well developed financial sector We assist our partner countries to establish functional, efficient and effective systems for public financial management and promote a transparent system of accountability. These are essential for realising development policy objectives. We also promote the development of a stable and efficient financial sector. This forms an important pillar for improved competitiveness and sustainable growth. We intervene by means of financial market regulation and supervision, monetary policy as well as the development of the capital market and financial infrastructure. Increased tax revenues Through tax reform projects in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Peru, Serbia or Mozambique, SECO helps to generate higher tax revenues, create fairer tax systems and improve the private sector environment as a basis for long-term, sustainable growth. At the same time, SECO is actively involved in the international discussion of tax issues.

4 Improving urban infrastructure and utilities We promote reliable and affordable basic infrastructure services in our partner countries by financing innovative technologies, strengthening management capacities in public utilities and supporting structural reforms. Reliable energy supply Sustainable water supply, wastewater and waste management Integrated urban infrastructure development We finance both the upgrading of existing installations and the construction of new production capacities in the water, sanitation and energy sectors. We also help public utilities to strengthen their operational and financial capacity and provide support for structural reforms and public service policies. Our financial and technical assistance helps to strengthen framework conditions as a means to economic growth and poverty reduction. We also contribute to formulating infrastructure policies and integrated urban development plans so as to ensure reliable and economical decision-making and financing strategies. Efficient energy supply SECO supports investments in municipal infrastructure systems, public transportation and thermal renovation for public buildings, thereby contributing to energy efficiency at a local level. For example, the district heating system in Vinnitsa (Ukraine) is currently being renovated. Based on its sustainable energy management strategy, SECO is developing similar projects, including introducing an energy certification (e.g. European Energy Award).

5 Supporting the private sector and entrepreneurship We contribute to improving the functioning of local financial markets and to promoting a competitive body of entrepreneurs. The goal is to increase the attractiveness of our partner countries as business locations and to trigger domestic and foreign investments. Improving the business environment for companies Access to long-term investment capital Improving entrepreneurial skills We support reforms that improve the business environment for companies throughout their entire lifecycle. This includes, for example, improving the inspection system and corporate taxation or out-ofcourt commercial dispute resolution. We also provide long-term corporate financing and help to expand the range of financial products available to SMEs. In addition, our activities include programmes for training in entrepreneurial skills and measures for better corporate management (e. g. in accounting standards, risk management, corporate governance). Corporate governance Thanks to SECO s commitment, around 100 SMEs in Colombia have to date received training in corporate governance from the regional chambers of commerce. The objective is to improve their competitiveness, lower their risk of bankruptcy and improve access to financing opportunities.

6 Promoting sustainable trade We promote trade that is socially responsible, environmentally friendly, inclusive and thereby sustainable. We do this by strengthening the export and competitive position of companies in our partner countries and by facilitating imports to European markets. Framework conditions for sustainable trade International competitiveness of producers and SME Market access for sustainably produced goods and services We assist our partner countries to establish and improve framework conditions to promote an effective free trade and non-discriminatory access to international markets. We also assist them in better defending their positions in international negotiations. We support service providers and experts in introducing technical quality standards and new packaging as well as in implementing environmental and social standards. This helps to improve the productivity, competitiveness and diversification of our partner countries economies. Additionally, we advocate for tariff concessions for products from developing countries (law on tariff preferences) and seek new distribution channels to Europe by way of the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO). This makes it easier for products from partner countries to access the Swiss and European markets. Sustainable cocoa production In Aceh (Indonesia) SECO supports a public-private partnership with the goal of training small-scale farmers in sustainable cocoa production. A better harvest in terms of both quality and quantity helps to improve competitiveness and facilitates access to international markets.

7 Fostering climate-friendly growth We are helping to combat the causes of climate change and fostering climate-friendly growth in our partner countries with modern technologies and approaches as well as new market and financing mechanisms. Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources Sustainable management of natural resources Framework conditions and new market and financing mechanisms We support reforms, strategies, institutions, training and investment and demonstration projects that promote energy efficiency as well as renewable energy sources and thereby have a favourable impact on the partner countries carbon footprint and economic growth. We also promote broad-based sustainability standards in international commodities trading and forestry. We offer incentives for the sustainable use of ecosystems in partner countries that create jobs and new export opportunities. In tandem with like-minded donors, we work to phase out environmentally hazardous subsidies. We also advise partner countries on insurance against climate risks and develop innovative, market-oriented financing mechanisms in climate protection. Light for education REPIC, the platform for promoting renewable energy sources, has equipped schools, churches and health posts in Ethiopia with solar-powered lights. A nationwide network of small solar workshops will now be set up. REPIC is jointly financed by SECO, SDC and the Federal Offices of Energy and for the Environment.

8 Help shaping multilateral cooperation MULTILAT We are responsible for Switzerland s relations with the multilateral development banks and contribute to shaping the strategic and operational orientation of these institutions. In collaboration with the relevant federal offices, we define Switzerland s position and strategy in the respective decision-making bodies. Forward-looking globalisation and effective fight against poverty Swiss partnerships in key issues Efficient use of available resources We exercise Switzerland s rights and obligations within the World Bank Group, the regional development banks of Africa and Asia, the Inter-American Development Bank as well as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The development banks support the fight against poverty and foster a forward-looking globalisation. These institutions are in a position to meet the challenges that by virtue of their complexity, political sensitivity or the volume of funding required exceed the capacity of bilateral cooperation. Furthermore, Switzerland engages in partnerships with development banks for selected issues that are strategically important (e.g. water or climate change). Finally, Switzerland advocates for an efficient and goal-oriented use of financial means together with other member states. Cost and expense structures are controlled in the course of the annual budget discussions and meaningful investments are actively promoted. Green energy Thanks to SECO s support, the Africa Development Bank has funded in Cape Verde the first commercial, privately financed public-private partnership in Sub-Saharan Africa. The resulting wind farm will cover a quarter of the nation s energy requirements at a lower cost. At the same time, the country will be less dependent on oil imports.

9 WHAT DO WE DO? The overview PRIORITY THEMES Economic and financial policy Urban infrastructure and utilities Private sector and entrepreneurship Sustainable trade Climate-friendly growth Multilateral cooperation CROSS-CUTTING THEMES Gender equality Economic Governance

10 HOW ARE WE ORGANIZED? The organisational chart Our division is part of SECO s Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER). Around 125 employees in Berne as well as in our field offices help to implement the economic and trade policy measures with our partner countries. SECO also assigns representatives to international organisations and to Switzerland s offices with the international development banks. WE Economic Cooperation and Development MANAGEMENT WE WEPQ WEMF WEKO WEOP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WEPQ Policy and Quality WEOP Operations South/East WEPO Policy and Services WEQA Quality and Resources WEMF Multilateral Cooperation WEKO Contribution to EU enlargement/ Cohesion WEMU Macroeconomic Support WEIN Infrastructure Financing FIELD OFFICES

11 Our division at a glance Annual budget CHF 440 million Employees: 125 Current programmes and projects: 500 Priority countries South Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Peru, South Africa, Tunisia, Vietnam Priority countries East Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine Contribution to EU enlargement Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary Results 78% of the 166 projects subject to external evaluation ( ) were ranked as satisfactory or highly satisfactory. In international comparison this is a good rate. ISO 9001 Certified since 2000 WEHU Trade Promotion WEIF Private Sector Development WELG Countries and Global Portfolio

12 Imprint Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO Holzikofenweg 36 CH-3003 Berne Phone Project Photos: SECO Private Sector: SECO/Alejandro Chaparro Berne 2015