Peru
Trade as a Lifeline
Despite the ongoing challenges, Ukraine’s exports continue to flow—and that is no coincidence. With support from the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO), local institutions are keeping trade promotion active and effective. During his recent visit to Ukraine, Clément Graf, SIPPO’s Head of Programme, shared insights into how resilience and determination on the ground are ensuring that business carries on.
“When I was visiting Kyiv, I witnessed officials and companies working around the clock to keep exports moving.” says Clément Graf
What SIPPO Does
SIPPO is Switzerland’s technical import promotion programme. Backed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), its mission is to empower local business support organizations (BSOs)—like export promotion agencies and sector associations—to strengthen their services for export-ready companies.
“Our mandate is strictly technical—no politics,” Clément emphasizes. “We develop our local partners’ export promotion capacity.”
SIPPO returned to Ukraine in 2023, and the Ukraine country chapter has become a highly performant unit thanks to a strong local team and SECO’s long-standing commitment to economic cooperation with Ukraine. The SIPPO approach is simple: invest in strong local institutions and facilitate cooperation.
“Only if you have a clear vision and strong institutions can you deliver consistent, high-quality services,” Clément explains. “And if resources or mandates are lacking, that’s where cooperation kicks in—networks can fill those gaps.”
Unlike many development cooperation projects, SIPPO does not fund partner organizations or deliver services directly. Instead, it focuses on developing the capacity of local organizations so they can support export-ready companies themselves. This approach requires high engagement from partners, as SIPPO only supports those who are willing and able to commit their own human and financial resources.
The partner selection process includes:
- Social Network Analysis – to map the ecosystem and identify relevant actors and analysing how potential partners collaborate and serve export-oriented companies.
- SECO Input – incorporating experience from other Swiss cooperation projects.
- CUBED Analysis – a structured compatibility assessment to determine if an organization is suitable for SIPPO’s capacity building approach.
Once partners are selected, SIPPO conducts an Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA), a participatory workshop involving various functions within the organization (e.g.: management, IT, market intelligence, service delivery). The OCA helps SIPPO partners to assess their strengths and gaps in key areas: export promotion, institutional strengthening, MRM (Monitoring & Results Measurement), cooperation and networking, digitalization, and sustainability. Based on the OCA results, SIPPO and the partner co-create a tailored development plan to strengthen capacities where needed, which can be tracked over time to measure the improvement of BSO’s capacities and SIPPO’s contribution to this improvement.
On the Ground: Fortitude and Solidarity
Clément Graf recounts impactful experiences in Ukraine, including visits to the fortified Ministry of Economy and meetings with the Vice Minister and his team, committed to strengthening Ukraine’s export promotion despite the conflict. An illustrative encounter in Kyiv with a soldier on leave and local youths shows the people's solidarity and appreciation for those defending the country, reflecting a nuanced reality where moments of everyday life coexist with ongoing conflict.
“I’ll never forget chatting with a young soldier in a coffee shop—then a teenage girl came over to hug him and thank him for his service,” he recalls. “That kind of solidarity stays with you.” Clément recalls.
War’s Impact on Trade
The war has significantly reshaped Ukraine’s economic and trade promotion landscape, creating both challenges and opportunities. Exports have become an essential driver of growth.
“Under the current circumstances, export isn’t optional anymore—it’s a lifeline,” Clément says.
While some regions directly affected by conflict have seen business activities slow down or relocate, other areas such as Kyiv continue to serve as an important economic hub, even under demanding conditions. Trade routes have shifted westward and expanded beyond traditional markets, strengthening resilience and opening access to new regions. This shift encourages BSO’s and exporters to adapt, innovate, and strategically position themselves in high-value sectors and new markets. SIPPO's sector focus in Ukraine includes natural ingredients, processed foods, and technical wood products—areas where Ukraine has proven export potential and international competitiveness.
What Exporters Need
Ukrainian exporters need consistent, reliable and high-quality trade promotion services to plan effectively and to allocate resources strategically.
“Despite uncertainties, we need to have a plan, we need to have a vision, and above all we need to be a very reliable partner that everyone can count on.” Clément notes.
BSO’s recognize that export promotion is not only vital for resilience today but also for long-term competitiveness. By maintaining consistent, high-quality services such as organizing commercial missions and trade fair participation, BSOs ensure that Ukrainian exporters can build connections, explore new markets, and strengthen their market intelligence for the future.
Adapting the Programme
To achieve its objectives in Ukraine, SIPPO has expanded its local team, introduced a ‘train-the-trainer’ model, and launched SIPPO Plus, further strengthening its support for trade promotion and capacity building. “We don’t provide export promotion services ourselves—we build local capacity,” Clément explains.
Digital platforms and peer-learning initiatives have also become essential, helping Ukrainian BSOs stay connected with international partners and access the latest knowledge and best practices.
Trusting Local Teams
Clément Graf recognizes the unique challenges faced by his team and emphasizes the importance of empowering them to act autonomously within SIPPO’s mandate.
“Thorough selection of staff is crucial and one of my most important tasks. After a meticulous onboarding where new hires learn about SIPPO’s vision and approach, I want my team to feel they have my full trust. That creates a sense of ownership, which is our strongest asset,” says Clément.
The team leverages strong partnerships with other Swiss Cooperation Projects (SCPs) and collaborates with Import Promotion Programmes in the Trade Related Instruments Connected (TRIC) Network to exchange insights and best practices. He also highlights the resilience, professionalism, and dedication of the local SIPPO Ukraine team—Country Representative Anna, Export Promotion Managers Andrii and Tetiana, and new team member Yelizaveta—who operate under challenging circumstances, demonstrating the value of having skilled people on the ground to make the best use of available resources.
Looking Ahead
Strengthening Ukraine’s trade promotion capacity requires time—and committed people on the ground. Flexibility, pragmatism, and strong local teams are essential for balancing urgent needs with long-term capacity-building goals.
“You can achieve exceptional things if you have the privilege to work with exceptional people.” Clément says.
The mission continues: adapting where needed, staying grounded in SIPPO’s core principles, and helping Ukraine rebuild— “one container at a time.”
