WELCOME TO THE SWISS COOPERATION OFFICE FOR THE SOUTH CAUCASUS!

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation  www.deza.admin.ch

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is the federal government's centre of expertise for all core issues relating to economic policy. Its aim is to ensure sustainable economic growth by putting in place the necessary regulatory and economic policy conditions www.seco.admin.ch

Swiss Development Cooperation for the South Caucasus emerged in the late 80th with humanitarian aid in response to the severe earthquake in Armenia and due to the armed conflicts, which broke out following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1996 a new regional office was opened in Georgia with the task of coordinating the Swiss-funded aid activities covering the two neighboring countries.  Development cooperation and humanitarian assistance projects have been implemented since 1998 under a regional scheme covering Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. In 2001 and 2002 respectively program offices were opened in Yerevan and Baku.

Since 2001 financial assistance provided by SECO has been concentrating on Azerbaijan, as a member of the Swiss Constituency in the Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank Group and international Monetary Fund). The support has been focusing on non-oil private sector development and diversification, improving access to finance for SME through a strengthened financial market infrastructure, assistance for macroeconomic stability and improving public financial management framework in the country.