DOING BUSINESS WITH SWITZERLAND
Swiss-Uganda Bilateral relations
Switzerland has an honorary consulate in Kampala, which assists Swiss nationals in Uganda located on Karuna Studios, Plot 3 b Sadler Way 10319 Naguru Kampala: Phone +256 756 394 164; kampala@honrep.ch
Switzerland's representation in Nairobi is responsible for diplomatic contacts with Uganda, and ensures that cordial diplomatic relations are maintained between the two countries;
Embassy of Switzerland, Rosslyn Green Estate, Rosslyn Green Drive, off Red Hill Road; Phone +254 730 694 000; Visa +254 708 168 982
nairobi@eda.admin.ch; Website https://www.eda.admin.ch/nairobi;
Swiss Development Cooperation
The Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM) is the development finance institution of the Swiss Confederation and a cornerstone of Swiss development cooperation. The purpose and basic mandate are described in the Ordinance on International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid as well as in the Ordinance on Cooperation with the States of Eastern Europe. SIFEM was established in its current form in 2011 and took over the investment portfolio of SECO (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs) which had been built up since the late 1990s.
Swiss-Sub-African Strategy, 2021-2025
https://www.eda.admin.ch/dam/eda/en/documents/publications/Schweizerisch...
Sub-Saharan Africa is becoming increasingly important on the geopolitical stage as well as more economically relevant. The subcontinent nevertheless still faces many, often long-term challenges. However, rapid social, economic and political change is also presenting new opportunities. The Federal Council wishes to raise the profile and status of Switzerland’s sub-Saharan Africa policy and achieve greater coherence in foreign policy. Switzerland’s bilateral and regional relations should be based on partnership.
The Federal Council has defined four thematic focus areas based on the geopolitical analysis of the regional context and the Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–2023 (FPS 20–23): 1. Peace, security and human rights 2. Prosperity 3. Sustainability 4. Digitalisation Migration is an issue that cuts across all thematic areas and has therefore not been set as a separate priority.
However, the implementation of the four strategic priorities should also help address the root causes of migration and alleviate migratory pressure over the medium and long-term. To take account of the subcontinent’s diversity, the Federal Council has defined five geographical priorities:
1. Sahel region 2. Greater Horn of Africa region 3. Great Lakes region 4. The lion economies 5. Regional organisations
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/scholarships-and-grants...
Researchers who are citizens of Uganda can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships through the above website explaining details of the scholarship.
Uganda also has an inter-university programme with some universities in Switzerland where Ugandan students have over the years benefited from such schemes.
Uganda-Switzerland Trade
Uganda Exports to Switzerland was USD 9.66 million in 2020 according to the UN COMTRADE database on International Trade; https://tradingeconomics.com/uganda/exports/switzerland. Of the USD 9.6 m, USD 6.06m comprised mainly vegetables and vegetable products, Cotton constituted about USD 1.53m, Cocoa, USD 1.07m and grain, seed and fruits USD 589.44K. Other exports to Switzerland include raw hides and skins and leather, mineral fuels and oils, live trees, plants, bulbs and roots-cut flowers and mineral fuels, distillation products.
Meanwhile Switzerland Exports to Uganda was US$33.35 Million during 2021, top of the list being pharmaceutical products at USD 11.8m followed by Printed books, newspapers and pictures at USD 8.59m; https://tradingeconomics.com/switzerland/exports/uganda
Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB), www.ugandaexports.go.ug is the national focal point for export promotion and development. UEPB's role is to help you export your products and services out of Uganda into the European Union (EU), US or any part of the world. They offer support services to exporters in Uganda and foreign buyers including market information, assistance with entering and establishing in new export markets, business linkages, export product development and capacity building.
The EU has very stringent rules on importation, including on certifications and verifications. Before you begin the process to export any product to the EU, ensure that you have all necessary information. UEPB will again be a first stop for all your requirements, in addition, below is valuable information from the Swiss trade portal site detailing mandatory requirements for anyone involved in importation of goods to Switzerland (EU) beginning with certification processes (registration in TRACES), explained below:
TRACES
For any trade & certification within the EU and in the case of Switzerland, it is mandatory for an importer and all others involved in the import process to use the electronic system. The website below provides detailed information;
https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/traces_en; TRACES – administration and support; Trade with the EU (admin.ch); Imports from third countries (admin.ch); further useful information on site below;
https://inspection.canada.ca/exporting-food-plants-or-animals/european-u...
Import requirements
A general Import permit (PGI or GEB) is required to import goods subject to storage and include the following: sugar, rice for food purposes, edible oils/fats, coffee, hard and soft wheat as well as energy and protein sources for animal feed. This requirement is for quantities above 20kg.
GEB is only granted to natural and legal persona as well as groups of persons who have their place of residence or headquarters in the Swiss customs area.
In the electronic customs tariff-TARES, you will find the tariff numbers, customs rates and reference to other charges (VAT, incentive taxes, tobacco taxes, beer taxes, mineral oil tax as well as information on prohibitions, restrictions or authorizations.
For further information, go to below website English translation, copy link, paste on new browser
https://www.reservesuisse.ch/importations/?lang=fr
All information relating to company registration and application for the permit is detailed including contacts for further information and/or clarifications.
Developing Countries GSP (Generalized System of Preferences)
Below are excerpts from the above webpages
Under the General System of Preferences (GSP/GSP), Switzerland grants import tariff preferences for goods originating in developing countries. Tariff preferences are tariff concessions (duty-free or reduced tariff rate).
Countries and tariff preferences
For some customs tariff numbers, Switzerland grants all developing countries a duty-free status, for example in the area of industrial goods (HS Chapters 25 - 97, with the exception of most textiles).
In the case of other customs tariff numbers, only tariff reductions apply to developing countries. On the other hand, Switzerland grants the countries that are considered the least developed (LDC, Least Developed Countries) exemption from customs duties for these customs tariff numbers as well. The same applies to developing countries that have joined an international debt relief initiative and have not yet been debt relieved. Details can be found in the list of developing countries and regions (LDC according to columns C and D).
You can find the applicable customs rates by stating the customs tariff number and the corresponding developing country in the customs tariff Tares .
Proof of origin
In order for you to be able to benefit from the tariff preferences in favor of developing countries when importing into Switzerland, a corresponding proof of origin must be presented in Certificate of origin Form A. Exemptions, reliefs and preferential tariffs
Extract from Federal Customs Administration
https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/de/home/information-firmen/befreiungen--v...
Depending on the procedure, other taxes such as value added tax (VAT) are also omitted. This applies, for example, to used hand tools, product samples and specimens. For these procedures, you can use the customs declaration for temporary admission (ZAVV) or the Carnet ATA instead of the definitive customs declaration.
Exporting to Switzerland: UEPB has compiled useful information on requirements in coffee, tea exports to Switzerland; https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/coffee/switzerland/market-entry; ... and other requirements for coffee importers https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/coffee/what-requirements-should-yo... also note certification requirements for certified coffee; https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/coffee/certified-coffee/market-entry; market for organic coffee; https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/coffee/organic-coffee/market-entry
Goods that meet the Free trade regulations or the regulations regarding developing countries (APS/GSP) are subject to a more favourable customs rate or are exempt from customs duties.
OTHER ORGNISATIONS CHAMPIONING AFRICA-SWISS TRADE & INVESTMENT
SWISS AFRICAN BUSSUNESS CYCLE(SABC) https://sabc.ch/
The Swiss-African Business Circle (SABC) is the leading independent association promoting business contacts and links between Switzerland and Africa. It provides its members with an influential network and a unique platform dedicated to the exchange of expertise, experience, projects and ideas, thereby fostering partnerships and opening new business perspectives. In doing so, the association advocates for Africa as an important business destination amongst the Swiss business community
