Trade Cooperation Programme IV Components TWO (IPI) and THREE (Technopark)

To improve the value chain of export products and services in Serbia, the TCPIV aims at having a sector approach which takes into account the needs from Serbia and fills the gaps with selected and specific projects in a integrating manner where Switzerland has an added value to provide.

Three phases have already been implemented, with the last phase (TCP III) lasting from January 2009 until December 2013.The following phase IV from 2015 to 2019 was approved in 2015 and is as continuation of the previous phase in selected areas of assistance (WTO, TRIPS and high tech products). A cost extension was approved in July 2017 for component THREE.

The ultimate goal of this programme aims at strengthening the competitiveness and increasing value added of Serbian products and services to contribute to employment creation, increase of export revenues and economic development.

Based on the evaluation of TCPIII, the TCPIV includes three components:

Component ONE: policy advice and support to align Serbia's legal and institutional framework to the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Component TWO: support in the field of intellectual property rights (IPRs) with a focus on food/non-food geographical indications (GIs).

Component THREE: assistance to innovation and exports of Serbian high-tech products. Assistance to the technopark in Belgrade. A cost and time extension was approved in July 2017 for an additional phase lasting until June 2019.

The following datasheet is focused on Components II and III as the credit proposal for TCPIV was split in two parts.

Component TWO: Recognition and implementation of the intellectual property rights (IPRs) and increase of selected GI products which bring additional income to the producers.

Component THREE: Developing of a strong export tool within the STP Belgrade (Technopark) with implemented technology platforms for export promotion. Expansion of the concept of technopark to other regions in Serbia (cost and time extension approved in July 2017).

Erwartete Resultate:  

Component TWO: Producer groups implement collective development strategy regarding IPRs rights and GI certification and marketing.

Component THREE: STP Belgrade developed as a strong export tool with implemented technology platforms for export promotion. Expansion of the concept of technopark to other regions in Serbia (cost extension approved in July 2017). The subregions are Nis, Kragujevac, Cacak and Novi Sad.

Resultate von früheren Phasen:  

An external evaluation of the TCP Phase III was undertaken and reflected the importance to pursue assistance in specific fields (WTO, geographical indications and high innovative sectors). In Phase III the coordination was ensured by SECO and SCO and revealed several positive effects (see evaluation Fabasoft 2012-12-06/ 105 and response management Fabasoft 2013-01-03/ 631).

Upon consultations with the key stakeholders of the project, strong need for continuation of the support has been expressed by the Serbian governmental authorities and ministries for the components related to the WTO assistance, the support in the field of intellectual property rights and the export promotion of high innovative products.

A ROM (Results oriented monitoring) methodology was also undertaken to evaluate the potential of each component of TCP IV. The final report concluded that the objectives of all proposed components of the TCPIV are highly relevant to Serbian priorities.

Phase 4 01.01.2015 - 01.07.2021   (Completed)